THE Great and Ancient CHARTER OF THE Cinque-Ports OF Our LORD the KING And of The Members of the same LONDON Printed by T. N. for the Mayor and Jurats of Hasting 1682. The Great and Ancient CHARTER OF THE Cinque-Ports CHARLES the Second Char. 2. By the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these Our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd over the Letters-Patents of Our famous Predecessor the Lady Elizabeth late Queen of England Eliz. about Confirmation according to these words viz. Elizabeth by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd over the Letters-Patents of the Lady Mary Mar. late Queen of England Our dearly beloved Sister about Confirmation made according to these words Mary by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith and upon Earth of the Church of England and Ireland Supream Head To all those to whom our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Edward VI. Lord Edw. 6. late King of England Our Brother about Confirmation made according to these words Edward VI. by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and upon Earth of the Church of England and Ireland Supream Head To all those to whom Our present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Henry VIII Lord Hen. 8. late King of England Our moâ— dear Father about Confirmation made according to these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom these present Letters-Patents shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Letters-Patents of Henry Lord Hen. 7. late King of England Our Father about Confirmation made according to these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Edward IV. Lord late King of England made since the Conquest according to these words Edward Edw. 4â— by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Chief Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Confirmation of Richard II. Lord late King of England since the Conquest made according to these words Richard Rich. 2. by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all those to whom Our present Letters shall come Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Confirmation of Edward Lord late King of England Our Grandfather according to these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Edw. 3. Lord of Ireland and Aquitain To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter of Edward Lord late King of England Our Father according to these words Edward Edw. 2. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting We have look'd upon the Charter which Edward Lord late King of England Our Father granted to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports according to these words Edward Edw. 1. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Head-Officers and to all Bailiffs and faithful Subjects Greeting Know ye that for the faithful Service which Our Barons of the Cinque-Ports have hitherto paid to Our Predecessors the Kings of England and to Us lately in Our Army in Wales and for their good Service to be continued for the future faithfully to Us and to Our Heirs the Kings of England We have granted and confirmed by this Our Charter for Us and Our Heirs to the same Our Barons and their Heirs all their Liberties and Acquitances The Liberties and Acquitances viz. so that they may be free from all Toll and from all Custom viz. from all Lastage Tallage Passage Carriage Riverage Bridg-toll and all Wreck and from all Sale as their Achat and Reachat through Our whole Land and Dominion with Soc and Sac Thol and Them and that they may have Infangtheff and be Wreckfree and Wittfree Lastage-free and * Lovecopefree and that they may have Den and Strond at Great Yarmouth according to what is contained in an Ordinance by Us thereupon made and for ever to be observed and also that they be quit from Customs to be done to Shires and Hundreds so that if any one brings an Action against them they shall not Answer nor Defend themselves otherwise than they used to do in the time of Henry Lord Our Great Grandfather as also that they may have whatever they find by Sea and Land and that they be quit as to all their Goods and Merchandising as Our Free-men and that they have their due Respects at Our Court and their Liberties through Our Dominions wheresoever they shall come and that in all their Lands which they were possessed of in the time of the Lord Henry Our Father viz. in the Forty fourth year of his Reign they be quit for ever from the General Summons before Our Itinerate Justices at what Pleas soever in whatsoever Counties their said Lands be as also they shall not be bound to appear before Our Justices aforesaid unless any of the Barons sue any Man or be sued by any And that they shall not be Impleaded but where they ought and are wont to be viz. at Shepwey Shepwey And that for the rest of their Liberties and Acquitances they have them as well fully and honorably as they and their Predecessors had them heretofore by their Charters in the times of the Kings of England Edward William the First and the Second King Henry Our Great-Grandfather and of Henry Lord the King Our Father as those Charters which Our said Barons have from thence and which We have look'd upon do reasonably testifie And We forbid any one to disturb them or their Trading upon pain of the forfeiture of Ten pounds to Us provided that if the Barons be defective in doing and taking Justice that the Warden of the Cinque-Ports to Us and Our Heirs for the time being shall enter upon their Ports and Liberties upon default of the said Barons to do full Justice there Provided always that the said Barons and their Heirs shall pay to Us and Our Heirs the Kings of England every year the full Service of Fifty seven Ships at their own Cost
be under the Seals of any of the Members of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns or any of them And if the said Bills or Billets do or shall at any time hereafter of or for any Fifteenth amount above the said Sum of 500 l. then for Us Our Heirs and Successors We Will and Charge the said Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of the same Exchequer and every of them from time to time to allow to the said Collector and Collectors of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being for the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors and for them and every of their Members and the Resiants of the said Ports Towns and Members and the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns the said Sum of 500 l. and no more And then for Us Our Heirs and Successors We Will and Command that the said Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of the Exchequer of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being make as hasty Process as lawfully as may be made against the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors for the levying of the said 1000 Marks by them to Us Our Heirs or Successors to be forfeited for their exceeding the said Sum of 500 l. contrary to their said Recognizance And further for Us Our Heirs and Successors We do Will and Charge all and every Collector and Collectors of Us Our Heirs and Successors of every Fifteenth to Us granted or hereafter to Us Our Heirs or Successors to be granted that they and every of them do receive of the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Successors for them their and every of their Members and the Resiants of the said Ports Towns and Members and the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns all and every such Bills and Billets as have been or hereafter shall be tendred unto the said Collector or Collectors or any of them according to the purport and true meaning of these Presents And moreover for Us Our Heirs and Successors of Our meer grace and certain knowledge We do grant to the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and of the Members of the said Ports and Towns and their Successors that neither they nor their Successors nor any of them nor the Resiants of them or any of them nor the Advocants of the said Ports and Towns or any of them or their Successors at any time hereafter by Us Our Heirs or Successors or by the Treasurer Chancellor or Barons of the said Exchequer of Us Our Heirs or Successors or by any Collectors or other Officers or Ministers of Us Our Heirs or Successors shall be distreined impeached impleaded or molested in any thing contrary to the Tenor and Purport of these Presents although express mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the Premises or of any of them or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us or any of Our Progenitors to the aforesaid Barons of the said Cinque Ports or of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and their Members heretofore made in these Presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision or Restraint to the contrary made ordained or provided or any other thing cause or matter to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Six and twentieth day of January in the Three and fortieth year of Our Reign We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of Our most Dear Grandfather Lord James late King of England made according to these Words James by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting c. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Thirtieth day of January in the Second Year of Our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the Thirty eight We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of Our most Dear Father Lord Charles late King of England of Blessed Memory made after these Words Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting c. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Sixteenth day of June in the Tenth Year of Our Reign Whereas Our Town and Port of Hasting in our County of Sussex and Our Town and Port of New-Romney alias Romene of Heeth Dover and Sandwich in Our County of Kent are and from the time of the contrary of which being never known to have been were always the Cinque-Ports of Us and Our Progenitors the Kings and Queens of England And whereas also Our Towns of Rye and Winchelsea in Our said County of Sussex are and from the whole time aforesaid have been Antient Towns and within the Liberties of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid And whereas also the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and the Town of Seaford in the County of Sussex aforesaid and the Towns and Places called Bulver-Heath Little Iham and Hidney in the County of Sussex aforesaid and the Towns or Places called Beckesbourne and Graunge alias Grenche in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforenamed Members of the said Town and Port of Hasting And the Town of Bromhill in the aforesaid Counties of Sussex and Kent and the Town of Lydd and Old-Romney in the County of Kent aforesaid and that other Towns or Places called Denge-Marsh Oswardstone alias Oswelstone in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforenamed Members of the said Town and Port of New-Romney alias Romene and also the Town of Westheeth in the County of Kent aforesaid is and hath been ever since the time aforesaid a Member of the same Town and Port of Heeth and also the Towns of Folkstone and Feversham in the County of Kent aforesaid and the Towns and Places called Margate St. Johns Goresend Brichington-Wood alias Wood-Church and St. Peters in the Isle of Thannet in the County of Kent aforesaid and Kingsdown and Ringwolde in the County of Kent aforesaid are and have been ever since the time aforesaid Members of the forenamed Town and Port of Dover and also the Towns or Places of Fordwich Deal Walmer Ramsgate and Stomer in the aforesaid County of Kent and Sarr in the Isle of Thannet in the said County of Kent and Brightlingsey in the County of Essex are and have been from the whole time aforesaid Members of the said Town and Port of Sandwich as also the Town and Hundred of Tenderden in the aforesaid County of Kent is a Member
and Letters aforesaid do reasonably testifie and as the said Barons and their Ancestors the Barons of the Ports aforesaid have hitherto lawfully used and enjoyed their Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twenty second day of January in the First year of Our Reign And We being certified by the humble Petition of the said Barons and honest Men of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and their Members That notwithstanding it is contained in the Magna Charta of the Liberties of England amonst other things that the Barons of the Cinque-Ports may have all their Liberties and Free-Customs yet they by reason of the ambiguity obscurity and doubtful meaning of certain Words and general Terms contained in the Charters Letters and Confirmations aforesaid have been and are at this time hindered from the enjoying of certain of their Liberties and Free-Customs as also the Priviledges and Acquitances which they were wont freely peaceably and quietly to enjoy in the Ports aforesaid and Members thereof from the time of the making the Charters Letters and Confirmations aforesaid to the impoverishing and undoing of the said Barons and Honest Men as also to the damage of the Service of Our Navy and the utter loss thereof likely to ensue We therefore greatly considering not only the premised but also the good voluntary and free Service which the aforesaid Barons and Honest Inhabitants of the Cinque-Ports and Members aforesaid have paid to Our Progenitors and especially to Us in the restoring the Rights of Our Kingdom And willing likewise to secure their Peace and Tranquility and the publick Good on this behalf and making good to them and well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lies all the Grants and Priviledges aforesaid as also all and every of them which are contained and specified in the Charters Letters and Confirmations aforesaid and all and every of their Liberties Priviledges Acquitances and Free-Customs which they their Ancestors and Predecessors had and used in the time of Our Progenitors and which they were wont to enjoy and possess do accept approve and ratifie them And to the forementioned Barons of the Ports and Members aforesaid and to their Heirs and Successors by the tenour of these Presents do give grant and confirm as fully plainly and entirely as if they had been word for word expressed declared and manifested in these Presents We willing moreover and granting for Us and Our Heirs aforesaid that the aforesaid Barons and their Heirs and Successors of the Ports and Members aforesaid shall have all their Liberties Acquitances Priviledges and Free-Customs restor'd to them as fully and entirely as their Ancestors and Predecessors had them in the times of St. Edmund the Confessor and William the Conqueror late Kings of England or any other of Our Progenitors more freely fully and honorably And although the said Barons and Honest Inbabitants or their Ancestors and Predecessors the Barons and Honest Inhabitants of the Ports and Members aforesaid or any of them by some emergent chance have not yet fully enjoyed or perhaps misused any one or more of the Liberties Acquitances Priviledges and Free-Customs contained in the said Charter and Letters yet the Barons and Honest Inhabitants their Heirs and Successors for the future shall fully use and enjoy the Liberties and Acquitances Priviledges and Free-Customs whatsoever so not-used or mis-used Any Interruption or Impediment whatsoever notwithstanding or any of them without any hindrance or let occasioned by Us or Our Heirs Justices Sheriffs Coroners Escheators or other Bailiffs or Officers to Us or Our Heirs whatsoever any interruption had or made in time past to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding We have also granted for Us and Our Heirs and by this Our Charter have confirmed to the Mayors Bailiffs and Jurats of every Port and Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid which were chosen in the Ports and Members aforesaid by the Commons of the same That if any Customs hitherto granted and used in the Ports and Members of them or any of them be doubtful or defective in any part or if any differences arising afresh concerning them in the same Ports and Members or in any of them where there hath not been a Remedy formerly made shall want new ordering and reforming that the said Mayors Bailiffs and Jurats of every Port and Member of the Ports and of the Members aforesaid and their Heirs and Successors with the assent of the Commons of that Port or Member of the Ports and of the Members aforesaid where this amendment defect or difficulty shall happen to be made or had May appoint a Remedy agreeable to Honesty and Reason A fit Remedy to be appointed for the common good of the Barons and Honest Men and Inhabitants of the same Port or Member of that Port as also other of Our faithful Subjects resorting thither as often as they shall see it expedient Provided that that Ordinance be profitable to Us and Our Subjects and agreeable to Reason as aforesaid And that they may Record their Liberties and Free-Customs before Us Our Justices or other Our Officers whatsoever And further that the same Barons may be encouraged for the future to pay as good Service or to their utmost ability Better to Us and Our Heirs then they paid Our forementioned Progenitors and Us in times past We have thought fit that other Liberties and Acquitances plain and express be granted anew to the same Barons and Honest Men. And moreover of Our special Grace meer Motion and certain Knowledge We have granted and by these Presents do grant for Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lies to the same Barons and Honest Men of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and to the Barons and Honest Men of all and singular the Ports Towns and Members adjoining united and pertaining to the same Cinque-Ports or any of them that they their Heirs and Successors and other Resiants whatsoever within the Ports and Members aforesaid or within any of the same contributing to the Service and Navy aforesaid be for ever quit from Toll Panage Bridg-toll Wharfage Murage Passage Lastage Stallage Tallage Carriage Weight-toll Picage Land-tax Scot and Gild Hidage Escuage and also from the Suits of County and Hundred and Tributes of Hundreds from the View of Free-Pledges and the Pence belonging to the View of Free-Pledges as also from whatsoever Summons Returns or Payments to be paid to Us Our Heirs or Our Successors for any of the Premises aforesaid And from Fines for Murder and common Amercement whensoever it happen that a County or Town before Us or Our Heirs or before Us or whatsoever Our Justices Officers or Ministers belonging to Us Our Heirs and Successors fall into the hands of Us or Our Heirs and from all such like Custom throughout Our whole Realm and Dominions And We have also granted to the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men their Heirs
late Queen about the Grants to the Barons of the said Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and Members of the same Ports and Towns and every of them and to their Successors the Barons of the said Cinque-Ports Towns and Members made after these words Elizabeth by the Grace of God We have look'd upon the Charters of Eliz. about Fifteenths Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of Our Exchequer for the time being and to all other the Officers Ministers and Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successors for the time being or which hereafter shall be to whom it shall or may appertain and to every of them Greeting Whereas it appeareth unto Us by one Record remaining in Our Exchequer amongst the Records of the Term of Easter in the Sixth year of the Reign of Our most Dear Grandfather King Henry the Seventh That John Convers of Winchelsea and William Warwyn of Dover Combons of the five Ports did come before the Barons of the same Exchequer the Seventh day of May in that same Term of Easter in their proper Persons and did exhibite to the said Court there a certain Letter of Attorney Sealed with the Common Seal of the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the five Ports and directed to the Treasurer and Barons of the same Exchequer the Tenor whereof followeth in these words To the Right Mighty and Noble Lord John Dynham Knt. Lord Dynham High Treasurer of England and to the full Honourable the Barons of our Sovereign Lord the Kings Exchequer at Westminster that now be We the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the Towns and Ports of Hasting Winchelsea Rye Romney Heth Dover and Sandwich at our Brotheryield-General at the said Town and Port of Romney the day of the Date hereof Holden Assembled that is to say William Nepsham Bayliff of Hasting Richard Martham Mayor of Winchelsea John Cheeseman Mayor of Rye John Cheynew Jurate of Romney Thomas Walton Jurate of Heth Edward Hextal Mayor of Dover and Thomas Aldy Mayor of Sandwich which send due Recommendations in all humblewise as appertaineth And whereas it hath pleased our Sovereign Lord by the Advice of his Council is Agreed that the Sustentation-Subsidy and maintenance of our Navy to do our old Service to our Sovereign Lord the King and to his Heirs Kings of England That at every whole Fifteenth and Tenth hereafter by the Commons of this His Realm to Him and to His Heirs to be granted the Collectors of the same and every of them within the Counties of Kent and Sussex from thenceforth shall have deduction in their Accompts betwixt them by the Certificate of the said Barons so that they exceed not the Sum of Five hundred Pounds Sterling for the Allowance of all Resiants and Advocants of their Allowance of all such Fifteens as from thenceforth shall be granted to our said Sovereign Lord the King and to His Heirs Kings of England and from thenceforth to be gathered and that his Highness willeth in that behalf that we nor our Heirs shall not in any wise exceed the Sum of Five hundred Pounds and that we should thereupon be bound by Recognizance before His said Barons in His said Exchequer at Westminster to the accomplishment of the same We the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons certifie by these Presents that we the day of the making hereof have given full Power and Authority to our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Brethren and Combons Mr. John Convers of the said Town of Winchelsea and William Warwyn of the said Town of Dover our true and lawful Attorneys joyntly and severally in that behalf by the Advice of Learned Councel to bind us to our said Sovereign Lord the King and to His Heirs Kings of England by Recognizance in the said Kings Exchequer before the said Barons in all due and convenient Form and Sum reasonable after the said Wisdoms and Discretions of the said High-Treasurer and the said Barons for the accomplishment of the Premises that is to say That we nor our Heirs shall not from henceforth exceed the said Sum of Five hundred Pound In Witness whereof we the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons the Seal of our said Brotheryield used and accustomed to thesâ— Presents have put at the saâ— Town and Port of Romney th 12th day of April in the Sixth yea of the Reign of our said Sovereign Lord King Henry the Seventh Whereupon the said John Convers and William Warwyn being then present in the said Court in their proper Persons and admitted there by the Barons to be the Attorneys of the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons of the aforesaid Ports to execute and do in all things according to the Tenor of the said Letter And the said John and William taking upon them the same did acknowledge the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons to owe to Our said Grandfather One thousand Pound Sterling to be paid to Our said Grandfather in the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist then next coming And except they did perform it the said John and William in the stead and Name of the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons did grant that Our Grandfather should cause to be levied the said Money of the Lands and Tenements of the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons whereof they or any others or any other that were seized and of their Goods and Chattels to whose hand soever they should come and made that this Recognizance was under such Condition That if the Collectors of the Fifteenths and Tenths to Our said Grandfather then or to His Heirs Kings of England in the Counties of Kent and Sussex and elsewhere within this Realm of England from henceforth to be granted should not have Deductions in their Accompts to Our said Grandfather of such whole Fifteenth and Tenth to be yielded by the Certificates of the Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons or their Successors from thenceforth to be above the Sum of 500 l. And if the said Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons their Heirs and Successors by their Certificates to such Collectors in the said Counties of Kent and Sussex and elsewhere within this Realm of England of and for such whole Fifteenth and Tenth for the same Mayors Bayliffs Jurats and Barons and the Resiants and Advocants of the said Ports to be made and directed should not exceed the Sum of 500 l. at every such Fifteenth and Tenth thenceforth to be granted that then the said Recognizance should be void otherwise it should remain in his strength and effect as by the said Record remaining in the Custody of Our Remembrancer in Our Exchequer more at large appeareth And whereas further it appeareth unto Us by Letters under the Privy Seal of Our said most dear Grandfather King Henry the Seventh directed to Mr. Treasurer and the Barons of his Exchequer bearing Date at Westminster the Three and Twentieth day of June in the Ninth
of the Antient Town of Rye And whereas also the Barons and Inhabitants of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members of the same and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney aforesaid in the said County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth aforesaid in the said County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover aforesaid and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Ancient Town of Winchelsea aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Seaford aforesaid in the County of Sussex and their Predecessors and the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Lydd aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayors Jurats and Commons of the Town of Folkstone aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town of Feversham aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town of Fordwich aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors and the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Hundred of Tenderden aforesaid in the County of Kent and their Predecessors have had held and enjoyed and as yet have hold and enjoy divers Liberties Franchises Priviledges Jurisdictions Acquitances and Freedoms in time past as well upon the account of the Letters Patents aforesaid above recited and several other Charters and Letters Patents by other Our Predecessors the Kings and Queens of England to them and their Predecessors heretofore respectively given granted and cofirmed as upon the account of divers Prescriptions and Customs used and accustomed in the same Ports Towns and Members respectively We considering that the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid and the Barons of the Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea aforesaid and of the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns have from time to time throughly performed and paid great Services with their Navy to very many of Our Progenitors and Predecessors the Kings and Queens of England to their great cost and to the great honour and profit of Our Progenitors and Our Kingdom aforesaid And gratiously and piously considering that the said Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and the Members of the same Ports and Towns are continually liable to the Injuries Wrongs Piracies and sudden Oppressions of Our Enemies As also willing and greatly desiring that the Navy of the Ports aforesaid and of the Antient Towns aforesaid and of the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns should not perish or decay which cannot without great Charges and Expences be kept maintained or furnished but that it may be found fitter and in better readiness to serve Us Our Heirs and Successors And that the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns and the Members of the same Ports and Antient Towns by the frequent recourse and increase of Inhabitants may be made the stronger and better able to defend themselves and the Neighbouring Country And also Consideration being had of the most pleasing and acceptable Service which the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the Antient Towns aforesaid have performed and paid to Us at Our Inauguration to the Crown of this Our Kingdom of England according as in times past they did and were bound to do to Our Progenitors the Kings and Queens of England at their respective Coronation the time of the contrary being never remembred to have been and are still bound to do to Our Heirs and Successors the Kings of England at their Coronation according to their Honour and Priviledge And We have looked upon the several Letters Patents as well of Our Famous Predecessor aforesaid the Lady Elizabeth late Queen of England as of Our most Dear Grandfather aforesaid and Our most Dear Father abovementioned and all and singular the things respectively contained and specified in the same As also all and singular the other Gifts Grants Charters Confirmations and Letters Patents whatsoever made by one or more of Our Ancestors or Predecessors the Kings or Queens of England to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and to their Heirs and the Inhabitants of the Cinque-Ports or other Advocants of the Liberties of the same and to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports their Heirs and Successors and to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and of the Members of the same and to the Barons and Honest-Men of the Cinque-Ports and of the Members of the same and to the Mayor Bailiffs and Jurats of the Cinque-Ports and Members of the same and to the Mayor and Jurats Bailiffs and Jurats or Jurats of the Cinque-Ports and Members of the same and every of them and of any Port or Member aforesaid And to the Baron of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Bailiff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting and to the Baron of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Dover and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Sandwiâ—h and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich and to the Baron of the Antient Town of Rye and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye and to the Baron of the Antient Town of Winchelsea and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Antient Town of Winchelsea and to the Baron of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and to the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey and to the Baron of the Town of Seaford and to the Bayliff and Commons of the Town of Seaford and to the Baron of the Town of Lydd and to the Bayliff Jurats and Commons of the Town of Lydd and to the Baron of the Town of Folkstone and to the Mayor Jurats and Commons of the Town
that every of them may and shall be Keeper of the Peace and Justice to Us Our Heirs and Successors to keep the Peace for Us Our Heirs and Successors within each of the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places above-named and the Bounds and Precincts of the same and every of them severally and respectively And We do create appoint make ordain and confirm by these Presents the said Mayors Bayliffs and Jurats and every of them and their Successors respectively Keepers of the Peace and Justices to Us Our Heirs and Successors to keep the Peace for Us Our Heirs and Successors within every of the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively And We appoint them to keep and cause to be kept all Ordinances and Statutes already set forth or hereafter to be set forth for the good of the Peace of Us Our Heirs and Successors and for the preservation of the same and for the quiet rule and government of the People belonging to Us Our Heirs and Successors in all and singular their Articles within every of the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same severally and respectively according to the force tenor and effect of the same And to Correct and Punish all Offenders against the form of the said Ordinances and Statutes or any of them in that place respectively as according to the form of those Ordinances and Statutes they were enjoyn'd to do And to make to appear before the aforesaid Mayor Bayliff and Jurats respectively all those who have threatned any mischief to the Persons of any of the Subjects of Us Our Heirs or Successors or to Fire their Houses and make them bring sufficient security for their peace and good behaviour toward Us Our Heirs and Successors and toward the Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successors and if they refuse to find out such Security then to cause them to be kept safe in Prison until they shall find such Security And moreover We Will and for Us Our Heirs and Succcessors by these Presents do grant and confirm to the aforesaid Mayors Jurats and Commons to the Bayliffs Jurats and Commons and to the Bayliffs and Commons of every of the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members aforesaid and to their Successors respectively That any two or more of the aforesaid Mayors and Jurats of any Port of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports and their Successors respectively within the Ports aforesaid and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same as also within any other Place or Places Town or Towns appertaining or belonging to any Port aforesaid or being a Member of any Port aforesaid in which Place or Places Town or Towns Mayor nor Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the said Place or Places Town or Towns the Mayor of which Places or his Deputy for the time being We Will always have to be but one and that any two or more of the aforesaid Mayors and Jurats of any of the aforesaid Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea and of any Member aforesaid of the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid where there shall be a Mayor and their Successors respectively the Mayor of which Places or his Deputy for the time being We Will always have to be but one and that any two or more of the aforesaid Bayliffs and Jurats of any Member of the Ports aforesaid where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the said Member and their Successors respectively the Bayliff of which Place or his Deputy for the time being We will always have to be but one within the Antient Towns and Members aforesaid and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same severally and respectively for the future may and shall be for ever Justices to Us Our Heirs and Successors and henceforward may for ever have full Power and Authority to make enquiry under the Oath of the honest and lawful Inhabitants of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members of the same respectively by whom the truth of the matter may be the better known Felony c. to hear and determine after all and all manner of Felony Murder Manslaughter Witchcrafts Art-magick Trespasses Forestallers Regrators Ingrossers and Extortions whatsoever and of all and singular other Misdemeanors and Offences concerning which the Justices of the Peace to Us Our Heirs or Successors lawfully may or ought to make enquiry within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members of the same or within any of them or within any County of Our Kingdom of England by whomsoever or howsoever they have been done or committed within any of the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same severally and respectively or which shall hereafter happen to be done or attempted in the same Places respectively As also after all those who within the Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid of the Cinque-Ports or within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively have assembled together against the Peace of Us Our Heirs and Successors to the disturbance of the Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successors or by force went or rode about Armed or for the future shall presume so to go or ride And also after all those who have lien in wait to maim or kill any of the Nation of Us Our Heirs or Successors or for the future shall presume to lie in wait as also after all Inn-Keepers and all and singular those Persons who have offended or done any thing against the form of the Ordinances and Statutes or any of them which are or shall be put forth for the common good of Our Kingdom of England or the Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successors by the abuse of Weights or Measures or in the selling of Victuals or for the time to come shall presume so to offend or attempt any such thing within the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members or Places aforesaid or within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively and also after all Constables whatsoever Petty-Constables Keepers of Gaols and other Officers and Ministers who in the Execution of their Offices have carried themselves unseemly concerning the things aforementioned or any of them or for the future shall presume to carry themselves unseemly or have been cold remiss or negligent in the Execution of their Offices or for the future shall be within the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members or Places aforesaid or within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively and to make enquiry more fully about the truth of all and singular the Articles Circumstances and other things whatsoever by whomsoever and by what mean soever the things aforementioned or any thing that concerns them are done or committed or which for the future shall happen there respectively to be done or attempted within the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members or
Places aforesaid or within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively and for the looking after all Indictments whatsoever which have been or shall be so presented before the aforesaid Mayors and Bayliffs or their Deputies and the Jurats and their Successors respectively or which have been made or exhibited and not yet determined before other of Our late Justices of the Peace within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and the Members of the same or any of them respectively and for the directing making and continuing Process against all and singular of them so indicted or against those who for the time to come shall happen to be indicted before the aforesaid Mayor or his Deputy and Jurats the Bayliff or his Deputy and Jurats or their Successors respectively or against those who shall render or give up themselves to their own proper Officers and to hear and determine all and singular the Felonies Murders Manslaughters Witchcrafts Inchantments Fortune-telling Art-magick Trespasses Forestallers Regrators Ingrossers Extortions Assemblings Indictments aforesaid and all and singular the rest above-mentioned according to the Laws and Statutes of Our Kingdom of England which are already set forth or shall be set forth and to correct and punish the said Delinquents and every of them for their Offences by Fines Ransoms Amercements Forfeitures or any other way as hath been used or ought or hereafter shall be to be done according to the Law and Custom of Our Kingdom of England or according to the Form of the Ordinances and Statutes aforesaid already set forth or hereafter to be set forth and to do execute and perform all other things within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns and Members of the same and the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively as fully freely and perfectly and in as ample manner and form as the Justices of the Peace of Us Our Heirs and Successors in the Counties of Kent Sussex and Essex or in any of them or in any other County within Our Kingdom of England have heretofore done performed and executed or may or shall hereafter have power to do perform or execute by virtue of any Commission Act of Parliament Statute Law or Custom or by other legal way whatsoever and in as ample manner and form as if all those things had been exactly and by special words contained declared repeated and expressed in these Our Letters Patents And that any two or more of the aforesaid Mayors and Jurats of any Port of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports and their Successors respectively within the Ports aforesaid and within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same as also within any other Place or Places Town or Towns whatsoever appertaining or belonging to any Port aforesaid or being a Member of any Port aforesaid in which Place or Places Town or Towns the Mayor or Bayliff is not chosen by the Commons of the said Place or Places Town or Towns the Mayor of which Places and his Deputy for the time being We Will always have to be but one and that any two or more of the aforesaid Mayors and Jurats and their Successors respectively of either of the Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea aforesaid and of any Member of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid where there is a Mayor the Mayor of which Places or his Deputy for the time being We Will always have to be but one and any two or more of the aforesaid Bayliffs and Jurats of any Member of the Ports aforesaid where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the same Member and their Successors respectively the Bayliff of which Place or his Deputy for the time being We Will always have to be but one from time to time for ever for the future may and shall be the Justices of Us Justices to deliver Gaols Our Heirs and Successors to deliver Gaols from the Prisons lying and being in the same within the Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and other Places aforesaid and within the Liberties Bounds Limits and Precincts of the same respectively from time to time acccording to the Laws and Custom of this Our Kingdom of England And by these Presents we create appoint make ordain and confirm any two or more of the said Mayors Bayliffs and Jurats and their Successors respectively the Mayor and Bayliff of which Places or their Deputy We Will always have to be but one the Justices of Us Our Heirs and Successors to deliver Gaols from the Prisons being in the same within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid and within the Bounds Limits Liberties and Precincts of the same respectively from time to time according to the Custom of this Kingdom of England and to do execute and perform all other things whatsoever from time to time within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members and Places aforesaid and within the Bounds Limits Liberties and Precincts of the same respectively as fully freely and compleatly and in as ample manner and form In as ample manner and form as other Justices as the Justices of Us Our Heirs and Successors in the aforesaid Counties of Kent Sussex and Essex and any one of them or in any other County within the Kingdom of England have heretofore done performed or executed to the delivering Gaols by virtue of any Commission Act of Parliament Statute Law or Custom or any other legal way whatsoever or for the future may or shall have the Power to do perform and execute and in as ample manner and form as if all those things had been exactly and by special words contained declared repeated and expressed in these Our Letters Patents And that no other Justices of Us Our Heirs and Successors that are appointed or are to be appointed for the Peace of Us Our Heirs or Successors within the aforesaid Counties of Kent Sussex and Essex or any of them Nor any Justice of Us Our Heirs and Successors appointed or to be appointed to enquire after hear and determine divers Felonies Trespasses and other Misdemeanors or to deliver Gaols within the aforesaid Counties of Kent Sussex and Essex or any of them Nor any Sheriff Under-Sheriff Coroner Escheator nor any other Officers belonging to Us No other Justices may be suffered to enter in c. Our Heirs or Successors within the aforesaid Counties of Kent Sussex and Essex or any one of them for the future enter or come in any wise to do act or perform any thing or things within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports Antient Towns Members or Places aforesaid or within the Liberties Bounds Limits or Precincts of the same Nor may any of them have or exercise any Authority or Jurisdiction concerning any causes things or matters whatsoever any way appertaining belonging or lying upon or which for the future shall happen to appertain belong or lie upon the Justices of Us Our Heirs and Successors appointed or to be appointed to keep the Peace or to enquire after hear