THis Realme of Englande and Wales is very populos, and the moste parte be the poorer sorte of people, who daiely doeth harken when the worlde should amende with them. They are indifferent in what sorte, so that their state were relieued. And so parhappes apte to assiste Rebellion, or to ioyne with whom soeuer dare inuade this noble Ilande, if any sutche attempte should bee made. Then are they meete Guides to bryng the Sol­diours or men of warre, to the riche mens wealth For they can pointe with their finger, there it is, yonder it is, here it is, and he hath it, and she hath it that will dooe vs muche good. And so procure Martyrdome with murder, to many wealthie parsons for their wealth. Therfore the wise and wealthie men of this lande, had neede by greate discretion to deuise some speedy helpe herein, that his poorerer sorte of people, maie bee sette to some good Artes, Science, Occupacions, Craftes and labours, by whiche meanes they might be able to [Page] reliue them selues of their greate nede and want. And beyng brought to suche vocation of life, ha­uyng some good trade to liue vppon, there is no doubt, but they will proue good and profitable subiects, and be careful to see this commō wealth florishe, and will spende their liues and bloud to defende the same, and their little wealth, their li­berties, their wifes and children. For hauyng no­thing they are desperate, but hauing some little goods, they will dye before thei leese it. Wherefore if this matter bee looked into with eyes of iudge­ment, there is no doubt of borowing the money vpon the assurance and interest. For I doe know in some Shires fower men that will gladly lende so much money as the whole Shire is appointed to lende. In Hollande and Sealande, the riche men makes so sure accounte of their fishyng, that they appointe their children Portions to bee in­creased by that vse.

IF you consider the pouerty that is, and doth remaine in the Shire tounes, and Market tounes, within this Realme of England and Wales, which tounes being inhabited with greate store of poore house­holders, who by their pouertie are driuē to bring [Page] vp their youth idlely, and if they liue vntill they come to mans state, then are they past all remedie to be brought to woorke. Therfore at suche tyme as their Parentes fayles them: they beginne to shifte, and acquainte them selues with some one like brought vppe, that hath made his shifte, with dicyng, cosenyng, picking or cutting of purses, or els if he be of courage▪ plaine robbing by the waie side, which they count an honest shift for the time, and so come they daiely to the Gallowes. Hereby growes the greate and huge nomber of Beggers and Uacaboundes, which by no reasonable mea­nes or lawes could yet be brought to woorke, be­ing thus idely brought vp. Whiche perilous state and imminent daunger, that they now stande in: I thought it good to auoide, by placeyng twelue of these poore people into euery fishyng Shippe, accordyng to this Platte. Who when they shall finde and perceiue that their diet for all the whole yeare is prouided, and that twoo vyoges euery yeare will yeelde to euery man for his paines, xx. pound cleare, and for euer to continue: By which honest trade they shalbe able to liue in estimacion emongest men, whereas before they were hated, whipped, almoste sterued, poore and naked, impri­soned and in daunger daiely to be marked with a burnyng Iron for a Roge, and to be hanged for a Uacabounde. When they shall finde these daun­gers to be auoyded by their trauaile, and thereby an encrease of wealth to ensewe: they will be glad to continue this good and profitable vocacion of [Page] life, and shunne the other. Besides that it is well knowen, that sixe Marryners or Seafaring mē, is able to rule and gouerne twelue lande menne, that be not acquainted with the Sea, And ther­fore not to bee doubted that this kinde of people will proue Pirates, they bee so base mynded. For the harte minde and value of a man is suche, and his spirite so greate, that hee will trauaile all the kingdomes of Princes to seeke interteinmente, rather then he will shew his face, to begg or craue reliefe of thousandes of people, that be vnworthie to vnbuckle his shooes. And in his greate want, will take with force and courage from them that hath to serue his necessitie, thinkyng it more hap­pie to dye speedely, then to liue defamed and mise­rablely. Of whiche sorte of people at▪ the breaking vppe of warres, there is a greate nomber of wor­thie and valiaunt Soldiours, that hath serued in the Warres with inuinceable myndes, who through wante of liuyng either departe as afore­saied, or els if they tarie in Englande, hangyng is the ende of the moste parte of them.

TO that I must put you in mynde of Hol­lande, Sellande, and Freeselande, that of late yeares, hath florished with Ship­pes [Page] Marryners and Fisher men, and therby pro­ued of merueilous wealthe, no Countrey more. And all the Timber they vsed for their Shippes came from the Domynions of other Princes. Their Cables, Mastes, Pytch, and Terre came from the coūtryes vnder the King of Denmarke. The Sailes for their Shippes, the threede for their Nettes, came from Normandie and Brit­taine: Their Salte came from Fraunce, Portu­gale and Spaine. And their Iron came from the countries of other Princes: We neede not doubt of these thinges, for there are Shippes presently to be bought (for the sommes of money appointed for euery Shippe) bothe here in this Realme, and in Hollande, Fraunce, and in other places. And if there were not, I could name the places within this Realme, where is plentie of Timber: If you doe remember the greate and wonderfull woods of Tymber Trees that is in Irelande, you will shake of that doubt. And for Iron there is greate plentie made within this lande: I maie call to witnesse the inhabytaunts of the forest of Deane, the countie of Sussex with other places. And for all other needefull thinges, the Hauens, Portes, and Realme of Englande, lyeth nearer to those countries where plentie is, then the Flemminges doeth. And for Maisters, there is plentie of coaste mē, which will gladly serue that place that be suf­ficient men. And for Marriners, there is greate store of poore Fisher men all along the coaste of Englande and Wales, that will willyngly serue [Page] in these fishyng shippes and vse the crafte of fish­yng, their gaine will be so greate. And for Salte there is greate plentie made at the Witches in Chesshire, and in diuers other places: Besides many Salte houses standyng vpon the coaste of Englande that makes Salte, by sething of salte Sea water. And besides the greate store of salte, that wilbe brought yerely into Englande, by the Marchauntes and others to make salte vppon salte. Also for Caske, there is greate store of Oke, Ashe, and Beeche, growyng in many places of Englande, so that there can be no want of Caske, if there be vse to vse it, nor yet of any other thing aforesaied, if good consideracion be hadde. This Platte (beyng put in execution) will breede sutche store of Marryners, that when so euer the noble Nauie of Englande shalbee sette to the Seas, for the safegarde of this lande, there shalbe no wante of Marriners to serue in the same, where as now they be both scant and harde to be founde. Looke backe into Hollande, where practize is vsed, and see what store is there.

[Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] THere is no doubt but there wilbee tenne thousande Laste of Heringes to spare, this Realme beyng serued, if these fowre hundreth fishing ship­pes with these fishermen be appoin­ted to the Seas, for they will take their place to fishe within the Queenes Maiesties Seas: And so shall serue both England and Fraunce, plenti­fully and also better cheape then the Flemminges are able to doe. And the Herrynges Codde and Newlandefishe beyng vsed in sutche sorte, as the Flemminges doeth, will be of as greate estimaci­on as thers be, and maie yearely bee solde and vt­tered in Fraunce as at Deepe, that serues and victualles all Pickardie, at Newhauen that ser­ues all base Normandie, and at the Toune of Rone, that serues all the hie con̄tries of Fraunce, for thether cometh yearely three hundreth Ligh­ters (called Gabers) with Wines: of ten hundreth tunne or twelue a Gaber, and there beste returne is Fishe and Salte. And for the other partes of Fran̄ce, at Rochell and Burdeux: Also the Mar­chaunts that trauailes into Spaine, Portugale, Italy, Barbarie and Affrica, cariyng Fishe, the further South and Southweste, that the fishe well vsed is caryed, the dearer it is, and greatly desired. Wherefore lette all men fishe that will, of what couutrey so euer, for there is fishe plentie in these Northren Seas for them all, if there were a thousande saile of fishyng Shippes moe then there is. And the Englishe nation shall and maie [Page] wearie them out, for their trauaile and labour (where they shall fishe) is not farre, their Portes Harbours and Roades bee at hande, their ship­pes coste the Fisher men nothing: Therefore the Englishe menne shall better bee able to sell good cheape then any other Nation, by meanes wher­of they shall sell when others can not. And so the Flemminges beyng put from vttering their Her­ringes in Fraunce, shalbee driuen to leaue their greate Shippes, and to fishe in smaller Uesselles neare the shore, to serue their owne turnes, as he­therto they haue caused vs to dooe, for feare of them: and euery tempest triumphyng at our folly, for not takyng this greate benefite and blessyng of God powred into our laps.

BY estemacion fiue thousande Laste of Herrynges doeth serue London, out of which portion, all the Shires aboute London are serued. And by the like estemacion, fiue thousande laste more will serue all England. And if warres should happen betwene Fraunce and Englande, then the Italianes, Spaniardes, Flemmynges, and other Nations, doeth bryng into Englande [Page] all sortes of Frenche commodities, as Wines, Woades, Lockromes and Canuas of all sortes. These Marchaunts will daiely looke for profite and in tyme of warres, nothing doeth passe with lesse daunger, soner is vented and made readie money, then these Herrynges, Codde, Lyng, and Newlandfish. So there is no doubt of vtterance for fishe, either in warres or in peace: Let experi­ence of other Countries serue for this whollie. And I thinke it good to let you vnderstande how Herrynges were solde in Fraunce Anno. 1577. The beste Flemmishe Herrynges were solde for fower and twentie pounde tenne shillynges the Laste, Yarmouth Herringes (who of late doeth vse and order their Herynges as the Flemmings doeth) were solde for twentie pounde twelue shil­linges the Laste. Irishe Herringes for eightene pounde the Laste: Coaste Herringes and Scot­tishe Herrynges for a leuen pounde the Laste. These defferences be in Heringes▪ whiche beyng vsed as is set doune in this Platte, will bee in all places (with in a little tyme) equall in goodnesse with the Flemmishe Herringes.

FIrst beholde this Sea Plat or proportiture here set doune, shewing how the same Straungers doe fishe in their great Shippes vpon the Englishe coaste: And how our Englishe men (for feare of them and euery tempest as aforesaied) doe fishe in small Uesselles neare the shore.

[Page] THe Flemminges sets out of Flanders Hollande and Sealande yearely (at Bartholmewtide) fower or fiue hun­dreth Busses, to fishe for Heringes vp­pon the East coaste of Englande, where before they fishe, they aske leaue at Scarbrough (as e­uer more they haue doen) with which honor (and no profite) this Realme and Subiectes hath he­therto beene vainely fedde. And amongest theim this is the order, one man prouides the Shippe, an other victualls and Salte, the thirde Caske, the fowerth Nets. And when the shippes comes home deuides the Fishe. There goeth out of Fraunce commonly fiue hundreth saile of shippes yearely in Marche to Newefoundlande, to fishe for Newlande fishe, and comes home againe in August, Amongest many of theim, this is the or­der, tenne or twelue Marryners doeth conferre with a Money man, who furnisheth them with money to buy Shippes, Uictualls, Salte, Lines and Hookes, to be paied his money at the shippes returne, either in fishe or in money, with fiue and thirtie pounde vpon the hundreth pounde in mo­ney lent. Likewise here in Englande, in the West countrey the like order is vsed, the fishermen con­ferres with the money man, who furnisheth them with money to prouide victualls, salte, & all other needefull thinges to be paied twentie fiue pounde at the shippes returne, vpon the hundreth pound in money lent. And some of the same money men doth borowe money vpon ten pounde in the hun­dreth [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] pounde, and puts it forthe in this order to the Fishermen. And for to be assured of the money ventered, they will haue it assured, geuyng sixe pounde for the assuring of euery hundreth pound to hym that abides the venture of the Shippes returne, as thus. A shippe of Excester is gone to the Warde house, to fishe for Codd and Lyng; the venture of the Shippe, Salte, and Uictualls is three hundreth pounde, for eightene pound all is assured. So that if the ship neuer returne, yet the money man gaineth declaro, fortie and eight pon̄d and his principall againe. So by these reasons, there seameth greate good to bee doen by fishyng, when other men beyng at such charges doe proue riche by vsing this trade. Shall not the Englishe nacion that thus shall fishe (the greatest charges cut of) bee more able to sell good cheape, then any others maie? and so wearie thē out as aforesaied.

I doe esteeme to come into Englande euery yeare, ten thousande Tunne of Gascoine and Rochell Wines, which at twentie Crounes the Tunne, a­mounteth in Englishe paymente to threescore thousande pounde. The flete that go­eth from London to Burdeux, carieth commonly [Page] victualls, Ballace, and some Cloth, for the money is alwaies made ouer by exchaunge, out of Lon­don out of Flaūders and out of Spaine. And the ships that goeth frō other places of this Realme, as from Bristowe, Wales, Westchester, New­castle, Hull, and elswhere to the Uintage, caryeth (contrary to the law) Lether, Calueskins, Butter, and Tallowe, with readie golde, as they maie prouide it all the whole yeare before. At Rone in Fraūce which is the chefest vent, be solde our En­glishe wares, as Welche and Manchester Cot­tons, Northerne Carseis, Whites, Leade, and Tinne: Whiche money is commonly imployed in Normandie and Brittaine, in all sortes of Can­uasses with other small wares, & in Lockromes, Uiterie, and Dowlasse, Pouldauis, Olyraunce and Myndernex: parte for readie money, parte for commoditie. And Woades is commonly lodē at Burdeux, and vttered there to our Natiō, and others, for money and Clothe, or els not. These sortes of wares bought in Fraunce, besides the Wines, amounts (by estimacion) to sixe tymes so muche as all the Englishe wares bee solde for in Fraunce euery yeare. And for a truthe, this trade of fishyng is the best (and of lightest coste that can bee founde) to counteruaile the valewes of the Frenche commodities. Experience doeth shewe the same, by the Flemminges: Who with their greene fishe, barreled Cod and Heringes, caryeth out of Englande for the same yearely, both golde and siluer and other comodities: and at the leaste [Page] tenne thousande tunne of dubble dubble Beare, and hath also all kinde of Frenche commodities, continually both in tyme of warres and peace, by their trade onely of fishyng. Thus the greate summes of golde, that is caried yerely out of this lande to the vin­tage (as appeareth by this Plat following) will staie: And the Wines neuerthe­lesse, and other frenche wai­res of all sortes, wilbe had and ob­teyned for Herryn­ges and fishe.

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IN the eightene yeare of the Queenes Maiesties raigne, fiue or sixe daies be­fore the Parliamēt house brake vp, I hadde the Burgesses (almoste) of all the stately Porte tounes of Englande and Wales, at a Dynner with mee at Westminster, emongest whom the substaunce of my Platte was red, and of euery man well lyked, so that some were desi­rous to haue a Lopie of the same, and saied, that they would of their owne coste and charges set so many Shippes to the Sea: as was to their tounes appointed, without the assistaunce of any other. Of the like minde were the Burgesses of Rye, and some saied it were good to leuye a subsi­die of twoo shillynges lande, and sixteene pence goods, for the makyng of these fishyng Shippes. Of whiche minde the speaker maister Bell was, saying a Parliament hath beene called for a lesse cause, other some saied, it were good to giue a sub­sidie for this purpose, to shippe these kinde of peo­ple in this sorte, for if they should neuer retourne, and so auoided: the land were happie, for it is but riddaunce of a nomber of idle and euill disposed people. But these men that so doth thinke, wilbee of an other minde with in two yeares nexte after this Platte take effecte, as when they shall see by this occacion onely: such a nomber of Larpenters and Shipwrightes set on worke, suche a nomber [Page] of Cowpers imployed, suche nombers of people makyng Lynes, Ropes and Cables, dressors of Hempe, spinners of threede, and makers of Nets, so many Salte houses set vp to make salte, and salte vpon salte: And what a nomber of Marry­ners is made of poore men, and what a nomber of poore people is set on woorke in those Shires all along vpon the Sea coaste in Englande and Wales: in splettyng of fishe, washyng of fishe, pac­kyng of fishe, salting of fishe, caryng and recaring of fishe, and seruing all the countries in England with fishe. And to serue all those occupacions a­foresaied, there must depende an infinite nomber of seruaunts, boyes, and daie laborers for the vse of thinges needefull: And with all to remember how that aboute Englande and Wales, there is established in fower score Hauen tounes fiue fish­yng Shippes to euery toune, to continue for e­uer: whiche will breede plentie of fishe in euery (Market, and that will make fleshe good cheape) And that by the onely helpe of God and these fish­ermen, there shalbe established within Englande and Wales, to two hundreth fiue and twentie de­caied tounes, a stocke of two hundreth pounde to euery decaied toune, whiche shall continue for e­uer to set the poore people on worke: And to con­clude I doe carie that minde, that with in fewe yeares, there will bee of these fishyng tounes of suche wealth, that they will cast Ditches aboute their Tounes, and walle the same defensiue a­gainst the Enemie, to garde them & their wealthe [Page] in more saiftie. What Englishe man is he thinke you, that will not reioyce to see these things come to passe: And for my parte I perceiue nothing but good successe is like to come of this Platte. To further thesame I gaue a Copie hereof to my Lorde of Leicester, sixe yeares paste, one other co­pie to the Queenes Maiestie, fower yeares paste. Also to sundrie of her Maiesties priuie Councell certaine copies. And in the ende of the laste Par­liament, holden in the saied eightene yeare of her Maiesties Raigne: I gaue twelue Copies to Councellors of the lawe, and other men of greate credite, hopyng that God would stirre vppe some good man to set out this woorke, whiche the Au­thor (beyng a Soldiour, trained vp in the warres and not in scholles, with greate charges, and tra­uaile of mynde for his countrie sake) hath deuised and laied as a foundacion, for them that hath iudgement to buylde vppon. Amongest whome, Maister Leonerd Digges, (a proper Gentilman and a wise) had one Copie, who (being a Burgesse of the house) tooke occasion there vppon, to desire licence to speake his mynd, concerning this Plat, saieyng he spake for the common wealthe of all England, and for no priuate cause: He (by report) did so worthely frame his speach, for the common weale of his countrye: that he hath gained there­by, bothe fame and greate good likyng of all the hearers, and so concluded, desiryng that this de­uice might be red, whiche for want of tyme, was deferred vntill their next assembly in Parliamēt.