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 [Page 4] 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 mo [...] 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 [Page 5] 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. 4 [...] 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 [Page 6] 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 [Page 7] 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; [Page 8] 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 [Page 9] 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, for fifteen days, at the Summons of Us or Our Heirs. We have likewise granted to them of Our spe­cial Grace,Utfang­theff. that they may have Ut­fangtheff in their Lands within the Ports aforesaid, like as Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls and Barons have in their respective Mannors in the County of Kent: And that they shall not be Impannel'd upon Assizes,Not be Impan­nel'd up­on As­sizes. or Ju­ries, or any Recognizances by reason of their Foreign Tenure against their Will: And that of their own Wines in which they Traffick, they shall be quit [Page 10] from Our Right-Price,Right-Price of Wine. viz. of one Pipe of Wine before the Mast, and another behind the Mast: And we have fur­ther granted to the said Barons for Us and Our Heirs, that they shall have this Liberty for ever, viz. that We or Our Heirs shall not have the Guardianship, or Giving in Marriage their Heirs upon the account of their Lands which they hold within the Liberties and Ports aforesaid, for which they pay their aforesaid Service, and for which We or Our Predecessors had not the Guar­dianship,Giving in Ma­riage. and giving in Marriage in times past: But the aforesaid Confir­mation of the Liberties and Acquaitan­ces aforesaid, and other Grants follow­ing, We of Our special Grace have caus'd to be renew'd to them; Provi­ded always in all things there be no­thing prejudicial to his Majesties Dig­nity, to Us, and to Our Heirs, or hurt­ful to the Priviledges of Our Crown, Life, and Members. Wherefore We Will, and firmly Command for Us and Our Heirs, that the Barons aforesaid for ever enjoy all their Liberties and Acquitances aforesaid, according as the Charters aforesaid do reasonably testi­fie: And that of Our special Grace they [Page 11] may have Utfangtheff in their respective Lands within the Ports aforesaid,Utfang­theff. af­ter the same manner as Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, and Barons have in their respective Mannors in the County of Kent: And that they shall not put in the Assizes, Juries, or any Recognizances upon the account of their Forreign Tenure, against their Will; And that in their own Wines in which they Traffick, they shall be quit from Our Right-Price, viz. of one Pipe of Wine before the Mast, and another be­hind the Mast: And that in like man­ner they may for ever enjoy the Liber­ty aforesaid, viz. That We or Our Heirs shall not have the Guardianship or Giving in Marriage their Heirs, upon the account of their Lands which they hold within the Liberties and Ports aforesaid, for which they pay their aforesaid Service, and for which We or Our Predecessors had the Guardian­ship, or Giving in Marriage in times past: But the aforesaid Confirmation of the Liberties and Acquitances afore­said, and other Our Grants following, We of Our special Grace have caus'd to be renew'd to them; Provided al­ways in all things there be nothing pre­judicial [Page 12] to his Majesties Dignity, to US, and to Our Heirs, or hurtful to the Priviledges of Our Crown, Life, and Members, as aforesaid, Witnesses here­unto being the Reverend Father Robert Portunensis Bishop, Cardinal of the Holy See of Rome, Frier William de South, Provincial Prior of the Fryer Preachers in England, William de Valentia our Uncle, Roger de Mortuo Mari, Roger de Clifford, Mr. Walter Stamell Dean of Salisbury, Mr. Robert Scarborough Arch-Deacon of the East-Ridings, Mr. Robert Sexton, Bartholomew de Southley, Thomas de Wayland, Walter de Hopton, Thomas de Normannel, Stephen de Pencestre, Francis de Bonona, John de Levetot, John de Metingham, and others.

Given under Our Hand at Westmin­ster the Seventeenth day of June, in the Sixth Year of Our Reign.

This Charter, before the Signing thereof, was by the Kings command openly read in the p [...]esence of the abovenamed Witnesses and others of Our Council then present, and was heard, examined, and agreed upon in the form above-written. We have al­so [Page 13] look'd upon the Letters-Patents which the same Our Father made to the Barons aforesaid after these words, Ed­ward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, To all Bailiffs and faith­ful Subjects, to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting. Know ye, that for the faithful Service which Our Trusty and Well-beloved Barons, and other Our Honest Men of the Cinque-Ports have hitherto paid to Us, and Our Progenitors the former Kings of England, and shall pay for the fu­ture, We have granted to them for Us and Our Heirs, that they and their Heirs the Barons of the said Ports shall for the future be ever free from all Tal­lagesFrom all Talla­ges. and Subsidies to be paid to Us and Our Heirs out of the whole or any part of their own proper Ships. We have also granted to the same Barons and Men for us and Our Heirs, That con­cerning the lawful things and Commo­dities which they in due manner shall buy within Our Dominion of Ireland, Com­modi­ties in Ireland. no one may be their Partners in those Things and Commodities, nor partake with them in any wise against the Will of the same Barons and Men. We [Page 14] have further granted for Us, and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lyeth, to the Barons and Trusty Persons aforesaid, That all and every of them born with­in the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, although they have Lands or Tenements without the Liberties of the said Ports, which are held by such a Service as the Gi­ving in Marriage upon the account of their being under Age,Giving in Mar­riage. which belongs to Us and Our Heirs, according to the Law and Custom of Our Realm. Ne­vertheless, according to the Liberty of the Ports, they may Marry themselves without the let or impediment of Us or Our Heirs for ever, any Right to the contrary in any wise notwithstand­ing. And therefore we charge you, and every of you, that ye molest not, or disturb the Barons and Persons afore­said in any thing contrary to these Our Grants. In witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self at St. Albans the Twenty eighth day of April, in the Twenty sixth year of Our Reign.

We have also look'd upon some other Letters-Patents which Our said Father granted to the above-named [Page 15] Barons, after these words, Edward, by the Grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, To all those to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting. Taking into consideration that the Navy of Our Cinque-Ports cannot be maintained without great Charge and Expences, left the said Navy should fail or decay for the future, We have granted for Us and Our Heirs, That all the Mem­bers of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, and all other Advocants whatsoever that are willing to enjoy the Liberties of the same, do contribute, (viz.) every one according to his abilities, to do Service to Us and Our Heirs with their Navy, whensoever they shall be commanded by Us and Our Heirs. In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents. Wit­ness Our Self at St. Albans the Twenty eigth day of April, in the Twenty sixth year of Our Reign.

And we Ratifying the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid, do grant and confirm them to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs as much as in Us lyeth, for the Barons aforesaid of the Cinque-Ports, their Heirs and Successors, for [Page 16] their good and faithful Service which they have hitherto paid to Us, and shall pay for the future, as the Chatters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably testifie. And We further willing to do the said Barons a greater kindness, have given and granted to them, for Us and Our Heirs, That although they have not hitherto enjoyed any one or more of their Liberties and Priviledges con­tained in the said Charters and Letters, yet the said Barons, their Heirs and Successors, may use and enjoy their Li­berties and Priviledges aforesaid, and every of them, without the let of Us or Our Heirs, or Our Officers whatso­ever. Witness hereunto, the Reverend Fathers, William Bishop of Worcester, J. Bishop of Bath and Wells, and W. Bishop of Exeter, Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hereford, John de Bri­tann. Earl of Richmond, Adam de Va­lentia Earl of Pembroke, Hugh de le Spencer, Robert Son of Pagan, Edmund de malo Lacu, Steward of Our Houshld, and others.

Given under Our Hand at Westmin­ster the Twenty sixth day of July, in the Seventh year of Our Reign.

We making Good the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid, do Ratifie, and by the Tenour of the Presents con­firm them to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lies, for the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports, their Heirs and Successors, for the good and faithful Service hitherto paid to Us and Our Progenitors, and for the future to be paid to Us and Our Heirs, as the Charters and Let­ters aforesaid do reasonably testi­fie. And further willing to do to the aforesaid Barons a greater kindness, We have granted for Us and Our Heirs to the same Barons of the Cinque-Ports, That although they or their Predecessors hitherto have not fully en­joyed any one or more of their Liber­ties and Acquitances contained in the Charters and Letters aforesaid, yet the said Barons, their Heirs and Successors, may fully enjoy, for ever make use of their Liberties and Acquitances afore­said, without any let or impediment of Us, Our Heirs, or any of Our Officers whatsoever. The Witnesses hereunto are the Reverend Fathers, S. Bishop of Ely, Lord Chancellor, J. Bishop of Bath and Wells, Our Treasurer, Lionel [Page 18] Duke of Clarence, John Duke of Lan­caster, Edmund Earl of Kent, Our most dear Sons; Edward de le Spencer, Guydo, Brian, John Atley, Steward of Our Houshold, and others.

Given under Our Hand at Westmin­ster the First day of July in the Thirty eighth Year of Our Reign.

We have also look'd upon the Let­ters-Patents of the same Our Grand­father after these words, Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aqui­tain, To all those to whom these pre­sent Letters shall come, Greeting. We have look'd upon Our Charter of Con­firmation, which We lately made to the Barons of Our Cinque-Ports, under the Seal which We then used, after these words, Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ire­land, and Duke of Aquitain, To all those to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting. We have look'd upon Our Charter of Confirmation, which we lately made under the Seal which We then used, to the Barons of Our Cinque-Ports, after these words: Edward, by the Grace of God, King [Page 19] of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, To all those to whom these present Letters shall come Greet­ing. We have look'd upon the Let­ters-Patents which the Lord Edward, of famous Memory, late King of England, Our Grandfather, made according to these words: Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ire­land, and Duke of Aquitain, To all those to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting. We considering that the Navy of the Cinque-Ports can­not be sustained without great Costs and Charges, left the Navy for the future should fail or decay, We have grant­ed for Us and Our Heirs, That all the Members of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, and other Advocants and Resiants what­soever in the Liberties of the same, do contribute, (viz.) every of them ac­cording to their abilities, for the doing the Service with their Ships to Us and Our Heirs, whenever by Us or Our Heirs they shall be commanded there­unto. In Witness whereof we have cau­sed these Our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness Our Self at St. Albans the 28 day of April, in the 26 Year of Our Reign.

And we Ratifying the Grant afore­said, do grant and confirm it to be well pleasing to Us and Our Heirs, as the aforesaid Letters do reasonably testi­fie: And because about those general words contained in the Letters afore­said, viz. (that every one contribute according to his Abilities) there have risen in former times divers dissenti­ons; That the Barons of the Ports afore­said may the more commodiously pay their aforesaid Service to Us and Our Heirs at fit times, We have given and granted, by the Advice of Our Prelates, Earls, and Barons, and the Commons of Our Realm assembled together in Our present Parliament, to the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports, that all the Members of the said Ports, and all Ad­vocants and Resiants whatsoever in the Liberties of the same, contribute to the Navy and Service aforesaid, to be kept and maintained out of all their Goods and Chattels, as well those that are without the Liberty of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, as within, and may be compelled thereunto by the Mayors and Jurats of the Ports aforesaid, and also, if need be, by the Constable of Our [Page 21] Castle of Dover: The Goods of Ad­vocants and Ba­rons of the Cinque-Ports, not to be taxed with the Goods of Fo­reigners. And that the Goods and Chattels of the said Barons, and others, as well without the said Liber­ties, as within, which are taxed for the maintenance of the Navy, and per­forming that Service, be by no means taxed for Tallage, and other Tributes, with the Goods and Chattels of Fo­reigners. In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twenty fifth day of February, in the First year of Our Reign.

And We thought fit to have a Copy of Our Charter aforesaid under the Seal, which We now use to be trans­crib'd according to their request. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness Our Self at York the Twen­ty sixth day of February, in the Second year of Our Reign.

And We Ratifying the Grants and Confirmations aforesaid, as well plea­sing, for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lyeth, do grant and confirm to the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports, [Page 22] their Heirs and Successors the Ba­rons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, for their good and faithful Service to Us and Our Progenitors hitherto paid, and for the future to be paid to Us and Our Heirs, their Liberties, as the Charters 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 [Page 23] 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 [Page 24] 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 [Page 25] 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 [Page 26] 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 [Page 27] 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, Land­tax, Scot, and Gild, Hidage, Escuage, and also from the Suits of County and Hundred (and Tributes of Hundreds) [Page 28] 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 and Successors, That for ever they may have all Goods and Chattels Waviated, or which are seized by Waife, and also all Goods and Chattels which are count­ed Stray; as also any Treasure which is or shall be found within the Ports aforesaid, or any Member of the same; And the Goods and Chattels which are said to be made by the hand that are taken, or shall be took with any Per­son wheresoever within the Ports and Members aforesaid, being before any Judge whatsoever disavowed by the [Page 29] same person. And that the said Ba­rons and Honest Men, their Heirs and Successors the Barons and Honest Men of the Ports and Members afor [...]said, shall have the Chattels of whatsoever Felons condemned or convicted, or here­after to be condemned or convicted; And the Goods forfeited for the escape of Felons, and Fines whatsoever for the same Escapes in whatsoever Courts belonging to Us or Our Heirs and Suc­cessors, they be Assessed or hereafter shall be Assessed before Us or Our Heirs, or or the Justices and Judges belonging to Us or Our Heirs whatsoever; And also the Chattels of all other Persons which are or shall be demanded in a Writ Exigent for Appearance, or for Felony; And also the Chattels of those which are Outlawed and Waviated, or shall be Outlawed or Waviated; And the Chattels by what means soever confis­cated, and of all and singular the Ba­rons and other Resiants whatsoever within the Ports and Members afore­said, wheresoever these Goods and Chattels shall happen to be found with­in the Ports and Members aforesaid, or without them, in the Counties of Kent and Sussex, or either of them, although [Page 30] the Officers and Servants of Us or Our Heirs, or any one of them be there present. And that the said Barons and Honest Men, and their Successors, shall for ever have the Wreck of the Sea at whatsoever Coasts and Arms of the Sea in the Ports and Members aforesaid adjacent it shall happen to be cast, and all and singular the things which be­long and appertain to ever such Wreck: And that they, their Heirs and Successors, shall either in their own Persons, or by their Servants, take and seize upon, for their own use, such Chattels which are counted Waif or Strey, any Treasure found, Chattels which are said to be made by the hand, Chattels of Felons by whatsoever means condemned or to be condemned, con­victed or to be convicted, the Chattels of all persons whatsoever which are or shall be demanded in a Writ Exigent for Appearance, or for Felony; the Chattels of those which are or shall be Outlawed, and which are or shall be Waifed; and Chattels by what means soever confiscated, and the Wreck, with all things belonging to such Wreck; without the trouble, molestation, or impediment of Us or Our Heirs, the [Page 31] Justices, Escheators, Sheriffs, Coroners, or other Bailiffs belonging to Us or Our Heirs, or any others whatsoever, al­though they were seized heretofore by Us or Our Heirs, or some of the Bailiffs, Officers, and Servants to Us and Our Heirs. We have also granted for Us and Our Heirs, to the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men, their Heirs and Successors, for the better maintaining of the Navy, and Service aforesaid, That every Mayor and Jurat in every Port and Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid, where there is a Mayor and Jurats; and every Bailiff and Jurat in every Port and Mem­ber of the same Ports and Members where such Bailiff is chosen by he Com­mons of the Inhabitants of that Port or Member of the Ports or of the Members aforesaid; And also the Jurats in every Port and Member of the aforesaid Ports and Members, where neither the Mayor nor Bailiff is chosen by the Com­mons of the Inhabitants of that Port or Member and their Successors, shall for ever receive all and all manner of Fines for Trespasses, Offences, Misprisions, Wrongs, Negligences, Ignorances, Con­spiracies, Concealments, Regraters, Forestallers, Maintenances, Bribes, [Page 32] Champarties, Counterfeitings, Cheats, Contempts, and all other defaults what­soever: As also the Fines for a Licence of Agreements, and all Amercements, Redemptions, Exits, and Penalties which are or shall be forfeited; a year and a day, Waste and Strip, and all that which should belong to Us and Our Heirs from such a year, and a day, Wast, and Strip of all and singular the Barons and other Resiants aforesaid, their Heirs and Successors, as well with­in the Ports and Members aforesaid, as without; And the said Barons, and other such like Resiants in all the Courts whatsoever belonging to Us and Our Heirs, shall Impose Fines, Assess Exits, and make Forfeiture for Penalties, Ad­judge a year and a day, Wast and Strip, and such like Forfeitures; Which Fines and Amercements, Redemptions, Exits, Penalties, a year and a day, Wast and Strip, Forfeitures, shall belong to Us and Our Heirs, unless they have been granted to the afore­said Barons and Honest Men, and their Successors: So that the said May­ors and Jurats, and also the Jurats in every Port and Member of the Ports and Members before-nam'd, elected as [Page 33] it is aforesaid, shall in their own Per­son, or by their Servants, levy, take, and receive such Fines, Amercements, Redemptions, Exits, Penalties, and For­feitures, and all other things which should belong to Us, Our Heirs, and Successors for a year and a day, waste, strip, and the Forfeitures aforsaid, for the common profit and use of the said Barons, their Heirs and Succes­sors, without the impediment of Us or Our Heirs, Justices, Bailiffs, or other Our Officers whatsoever: And that the said Barons and Honest Men, their Heirs and Successors, may have as it shall seem good to them with­in every Port and Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid, a Pillory for Thieves, and a Cucking-stooll for the punishment of Offenders there; And also that they and their Successors may for ever have Leets, and Law­days, with all the Profits which way soever belonging or appertaining there­unto from any Resiants whosoever with­in the Liberty aforesaid: And that the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men, and their Heirs and Successors from hence­forward, and every of them may have whatever they find upon Land and Sea [Page 34] freely, peaceably, and quietly, without any impediment or disturbance by Us or Our Heirs, or by the Constables to Us or Our Heirs of Our Castle of Do­ver, or by the Admiral of the Cinque-Ports, or Admiral within the Ports and Members aforesaid, without any division of it to be made, or any part of it to be rendred to Us or Our Heirs, or any other: And we have further granted for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, to the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men, and to their Heirs and Successors Liberty to Erect Gallowes within every Port and Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid; And to give Judgment upon all Offenders who shall happen to be taken and appre­hended there according to the above­mentioned Priviledge of Infangtheff and Utfangtheff, and according to the custom antiently used in the Ports and Members aforesaid, without the lett, questioning, or impediment of Us or Our Heirs, Justices, Coroners, Eschea­tors, Sheriffs, or other Our Bayliffs, and Officers whosoever: And that the said Mayor and Jurats, Bayliffs and Jurats, and also the Jurats in every Port and Member of the Ports and [Page 35] Members aforesaid as they are before limited, may and shall from henceforth have and hold before the fame Mayor and Jurats, Bailiff and Jurats, and also Jurats, by a Complaint before them to be relieved in the Court of any Port or Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid, in any place, days or times most conveniently to be held according to custom within any such Port or Mem­ber, all and all sorts of Pleas of and concerning all sorts of Actions, real, personal, and mixt, happening by Sea or Land within any such Port or Mem­ber; And that they may attach those Persons, and commit their Bodies to Prison, against whom such Personal Actions shall happen to be sued or pro­secuted, and be Oyers and Terminers of all and every the aforesaid Pleas, and give Judgment upon Process and Executions to be done according to the custom of the Ports aforesaid; so that neither the Constable to Us or Our Heirs of the Castle of Dover aforesaid, nor the Warden of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, nor the Admiral of the fame, nor any Vice-gerent, nor Deputy ap­pointed by him, shall about or concern­ing any such Plea within the Ports and [Page 36] Members aforesaid, or about any other Business or Matter that is or happens, or shall be or happen by Land, or Sea, by Fresh Water, or bounds and banks of the deep Sea, in any wise come within the limits and liberties of the same Ports and Members, or enter into such Port or Member upon such an ac­count in any wise whatsoever, unless in default of the Mayor, Bailiff, and Ju­rats not administring Justice; And if such default shall chance to be, then We Will that only the aforesaid Warden of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid for the time being, either by Word of Mouth or Petition to be made by the party which shall perceive himself to be wronged, enter into the said Port or Member from time to time, and cause the Plea touching this defect to come before him within the same Port and Member in the presence of such Mayor, Bailiff, and Jurats, and there examine the Plea aforesaid, and correct and amend such default, if there be any, and there administer with speed full and compleat Justice to all and every of them who have any occasion to be there present; according to law and custom: And that the Mayor and Jurats, Bailiff [Page 37] and Jurats, and the Jurats aforesaid o every Port and Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid, elected in man­ner and form aforesaid, shall for ever have the Cognizance, as well of all sorts of Pleas in the actions above-named, as of all sorts of Pleas belonging to the Crown, any way happening within every such Ports or Members; And the Power of hearing and determining all pleas belonging to the Crown of Us or Our Heirs, as well at the Suit of Us and Our Heirs, as at the Suit of other Plain­tiffs (the Pleas of all sorts of Treasons only excepted) which We Will for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, to be heard and determined before the Warden for the time being of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, the Mayors, Bailiffs, and Jurats of the same Ports being summoned according to the cu­stom used in the same Ports, at Shepey, according to the Law and Custom of the Court aforesaid: And that every such Mayor and Jurats, Bailiff and Ju­rats, as also the Jurats as above limited, may at their Election have and hold all and singular the Pleas abovenamed (ex­cepting those which are afore excepted) before them within every such Port and [Page 38] Member, in the Court of the same Port or Member; and may hear and deter­mine all such Pleas, and execute Judg­ments given upon them according to the Law and Custom of Our Kingdom of England, or Custom of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid: And further, that none of the aforesaid Barons, Honest Men, or their Heirs and Successors, or Resiants aforesaid, for the future shall be taken, Arrested, or Attach'd by any Warrants, Precepts, or Commandment of the Constable of the Castle aforesaid, or of the Warden of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, or Admiral within the Ports and Members aforesaid, to answer upon any such Plea; or be bound in any wise to appear upon the same Cause before the same Constable, Warden, or Ad­miral, or his Vice-gerent, or Deputy, unless upon default of not administring Justice as aforesaid: And that none of the Barons, Honest Men, or their Heirs, or such like Resiants, shall for the future be in any wise Pressed, Attach't, or Arrested by any of the Officers and Ministers of Us or Our Heirs, to or for the Service of Us or Our Heirs to be performed upon the Sea, except for the Service of the said Barons to be [Page 39] paid to Us and Our Heirs with their Navy, as aforesaid: We have further granted to the above-named Barons and Honest Men, that they, their Heirs and Successors and other Resiants whoso­ever of their Heirs and Successors, within the Ports and Members afore­said, who do now or shall hereafter contribute to the Service and Navy aforesaid, be for ever free from all Aids, Subsidies,They shall be free from all Subsi­dies, &c. Contributions, Tallage, and all other how many soever, which, if the grant aforesaid made to them had not been, should or might have been exacted of them, or of any of them, by Us or Our Heirs, by the Bailiffs or Officers of Us or Our Heirs, upon the account of their Lands, Tenements, and Incomes, or their Goods and Chat­tels, or any thing belonging to them which they now have, and from hence­forth are to possess: And that whenso­ever the Commons of the Counties of Our Kingdom of England, or the Ci­tizens and Burgesses of the Cities and Burroughs of the said Counties have any way granted to Us, Our Heirs, or Successors, the Tenth, Fifteenth, or any other Sum or Tax whatsoever, of their Goods moveable, or Lands, Te­nements, [Page 40] or other of their Incoms; Or that We or Our Heirs have caused Our Tenths to be be levied throughout England, the said Barons, their Heirs and Successors, and the Ports and Mem­bers aforesaid, the Lands, Tenements, and Goods and Chattels of the Barons, their Heirs and Successors, and of other Resiants aforesaid, or of any of them, whether they be within the Liberties of the said Ports and Members, or without in the Counties of Kent and Sussex, Within or with­out in the Coun­ties of Kent and Sus­sex, they shall not be Tax­ed. shall not be Taxed for the Use of Us or Our Heirs; Nor shall any thing in any wise be levied upon them sor Tenths, Fifteenths, and other Tri­butes or Tallages aforesaid for the Use of Us or Our Heirs; Nor shall the said Barons, their Heirs or Successors, or other Resiants aforesaid, be distreined, molested, or disturbed upon these ac­counts in any thing concerning their Lands, Tenements, or their Goods aforesaid; but that they, their Heirs and Successors, be for ever free from all manner of Tenths, Fifteenths, and other such like Tributes and Tallages, although they themselves or any of them be Agents in such Grants: And We have further granted for Us and [Page 41] Our Heirs to the aforesaid Barons and Honest Men, that none of them, their Heirs and Successors shall for the future be put in any Assizes, Juries, Recogni­zances, Attaints, or other Inquisitions whatsoever without the Ports and Mem­bers aforesaid, although they concern Us or Our Heirs; And that none of them be made an Assessor, Taxer, or Collector of Tenths, Fifteenths, or any parcel of them, or other Subsidies, Tallages, Taxes, or small Summs what­soever which are or shall be granted to Us or Our Heirs; Nor be Collector of the reasonable Aid for the creating the Eldest Son of Us or Our Heirs a Knight, or for the Marrying the Eldest Son of Us or Our Heirs; Nor shall any of them be chosen or appointed Con­stable, Bailiff, or other Officer and Ser­vant to Us or Our Heirs, without the Ports and Members aforesaid, against his Will; And in case that any of the afore­said Barons, Honest Men, or their Heirs and Successors, be for the future chosen, ordained, or appointed to un­dergo and perform the trouble of any of the Offices or Employments aforesaid; or to undergo, perform, or take any other Office against the force, tenour, [Page 42] and efficacy of this our present Grant, although he shall refuse to undergo, perform, or take upon him those Of­fices or Troubles, yet he shall in no wise upon that account incur any Fine, Con­tempt, Forfeit, loss or damage upon his Body or Goods; but that Our present Letters shewed upon Record by him before any Justices and Officers whoso­ever to Us and Our Heirs, in whatso­ever place through Our whole Kingdom of England, shall upon that declaration remain in their force and virtue, and by that shall be allowed to do the same without any Writ or Process to be thence further prosecuted: And that whensoever there shall happen any Exa­minations to be made before Our Con­stable of Our Castle of Dover, or before the Warden of the Cinque-Ports afore­said, or Admiral of the fame, such In­quisitions shall be had, taken and done within that Port or Member of the Ports and Members aforesaid, where they of the respective Ports and Mem­bers, by whom these Inquisitions shall be taken, do live and dwell, and no where else; And that they who are mentioned and Empannelled in the Inquiries afore­said shall no way be bound, compelled, [Page 43] or forced to go out of their respective Port or Member to any other place, to take their Charge or deliver their Ver­dict; Nor shall they nor any of them any way upon that account incur any contempt, amerciament, penalty, for­feiture, or any loss, to Us or Our Heirs. Wherefore We Will and strictly Com­mand for Us and Our Heirs,Where­fore We Will. that the afore­said Barons and Honest Men of the Ports aforesaid, their Heirs and Suc­cessors, have all and singular the Liber­ties and Acquitances aforesaid, and all the Premises by Us renewed to them and every of them; and that for the future without any impediment of Us or Our Heirs,Without impedi­ment. or Our Officers whoso­ever, they for ever use and enjoy them; Witness hereunto the Reverend Pre­late Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England, Our most Dear Brothers George Duke of Clare, and Richard Duke of Glocester, the Re­verend Priors George Bishop of Exon Our Chancellor of England, and Tho­mas Bishop of London, Richard Earl of Warwick, and John Earl of Northumber­land Our most dear Cosins, as also Our Trusty and Well-beloved Mr. Robert Stillington Keeper of Our Privy-Seal, [Page 44] and Walter Blunt Knt. Our Treasurer of England, and others; Given under Our Hand at Westminster the Twenty third day of March in the Fifth year of Our Reign: But We Ratifying and like­ing the Charters and Letters aforesaid, and all and singular the things contained in them, do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Ho­nest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and Members of the same, and to their Heirs and Successors, as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie: In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self at Westmin­ster the Thirteenth day of December, in the Third year of Our Reign. But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid, and all and singular the things contained in them, do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, and by the Tenor of these Pre­sents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their [Page 45] Members, and to their Heirs and Suc­cessors, as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie: In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Wit­ness Our Self at Westminster the Fifth day of March, in the first year of Our Reign. But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters afore­said, and all and singular the things contained in them, do accept and ap­prove of them for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, and by the Te­nor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members and to their Heirs and Successors, as the Char­ters and Letters aforesaid do reason­ably Testifie: In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twentieth day of No­vember, in the Second year of Our Reign. But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid, and all and singular the things contained in them, do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, and by the Tenor of these [Page 46] Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-beloved Barons and Ho­nest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members, and to their Heirs and Successors, as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie: In Witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Wit­ness Our Self at Westminster the Twenty seventh day of October, in the First year of Our Reign. But We Ratifying and likeing well the Charters and Letters aforesaid, and all and singular the things contained in them, do accept and approve of them for Us and Our Heirs, as much as in Us lieth, and by the Tenor of these Presents do Ratifie and Confirm them to Our Well-be­loved Barons and Honest Men of the said Cinque-Ports and their Members, and to their Heirs and Successors, as the Charters and Letters aforesaid do reasonably Testifie: In Witness where­of We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self at Westminster the Eigth day of March, in the First year of Our Reign. We have also looked upon the Letters Patents of the said Lady Elizabeth late Queen, about the Grants to the Barons [Page 47] 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 [Page 48] 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 [Page 49] 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 [Page 50] 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 thes [...] Presents, have put at the sa [...] 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 [Page 52] 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. [Page 53] 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 year of His Reign, That whereas Our said Grandfather was then informed, that of old time accustomed at every Fifteenth granted to the Barons of the five Ports, and their Advocants and Members of them, and every of them, were wont to be allowed in the Exchequer of Our said Grandfather, of as much and as large Sums of Mo­ney as they would ask by sufficient Bil­let thereof, at every Fifteenth granted till then of late by agreement thereof taken, and as between Our said Grand­father and them, they were Cessed at a certain Sum of 500 l. and thereupon they were bound in a Recognizance before the Treasurer and Barons of Our said Grandfather in his Exchequer unto Our said Grandfather, in One thousand Marks, that they should not exceed the said Sum of 500 l. in asking Allowance by Billet, upon forfeiture to Our said Grandfather of the said Thou­sand [Page 54] Marks, And whereas Our said Grandfather being informed, That the Treasurer and Barons of His Exche­quer did then deny to receive and al­low the Bills and Billets under the Seals either of the Towns of Winchelsea and Rye, and of the Members of the said five Ports, of every of them for dis­charging of divers of the Collectors of Our said Grandfather, for divers Fif­teenths that then were past; Our said Grandfather willing the said five Ports, the said Towns of Winchelsea and Rye, and the Members of them, and every of them to be Partners of the said Dis­charge of 500 l. as they be Charged to Our said Grandfather in Service, and for divers and many other great Consi­derations Our said Grandfather speci­ally moving, did by the said Letters under the said Privy Seal, Will and Charge the said Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer and every of them, that they immediately after the sight of the same Letters, should receive and take of the Collector and Collectors of Our said Grandfather of any such Fifteenth, all such Bills and Billets for discharging of the said Fifteenths be­fore that time granted, and thereafter [Page 55] to be granted, as well them that were under the Seals of the said Towns of Winchelsea and Rye parcel of the Head Ports, or any of them, as them that were under the Seals of any of the Members, to what manner of Sum that the said Bills or Billets should a­mount unto. And if the said Bills or Billets should amount to the Sum of 500 l. or beneath at a Fifteen, then Our said Grandfather Willed and Charged them and every of them to allow all the Sum of 500 l. or any Sum beneath that Sum; And if the said Bills or Billets should amount above the Sum of the said 500 l. Then Our said Granfather willed the said Trea­surer and Barons, that they allow to the said Collectors the said Sum of 500 l. and no more. And then Our said Grandfather willed, that the said Treasurer and Barons should make as hasty Process as they lawfully might against the said five Ports, for the said Thousand Marks by them unto Our said Grandfather to be forfeited, for their exceeding the said Sum contrary to their said Recognizance, as by the said Letters under the Privy Seal of Our said Grandfather more at large appear­eth. [Page 56] And whereas divers of the most antient Charters, and Letters Patents, made to the Barons of the said Cinque-Ports in that behalf, as also the En­rollment of the same by length and tract of long time and many Ages, or other­wise are perished, and utterly worn out, lost, or decayed, We considering the good Services which the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports, and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and their Members have done unto Us, and the great Charges which they have been at in Our late Services upon the Seas, and elsewhere against the Spaniards, in the year of Our Lord God 1588. and 1596. and willing that the said Barons of the said Cinque-Ports, and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and the Members of them, and every of them, and the Resiants of the said Ports, Towns, and Members, and the Advo­cants of the said Ports, and Towns, and every of them, should be discharged of the Sum of 500 l. at every Fifteen, and be Partners of the said Discharge of 500 l. according to such rate and proportion as the Cinque-Ports, Towns, and Members be charged to Us, Our Heirs and Successors in Service and in [Page 57] finding and maintaining of the Navy of the said Port, Towns, and Mem­bers: In consideration of the said Ser­vices, and for the better maintenance and sustentation of the Navy of the said Ports, and for divers other good considerations, Us specially moving of Our special Grace, meer motion, and certain knowledge do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors grant unto the said Ba­rons of the said Cinque-Ports, and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and of the Members of the same Ports, and Towns, and every of them and their Successors; Barons of the said Cinque-Ports, Towns, and Members, That at every Fifteenth heretofore to Us grant­ed and yet payable, and heretofore to Us granted, and hereafter to be paid; And also at every Fifteenth hereafter to Us, Our Heirs and Successors to be granted, they the said Barons of the Cinque-Ports, and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and of the Mem­bers of the said Ports and Towns, and of every of them, and their Successors Barons of the said Cinque-Ports, Towns and Members for themselves, and the Resiants of the said Ports, Towns, and Members, and the Advocants of the said [Page 58] Ports, and Towns, shall have thereof, and be allowed in the Exchequer of Us, Our Heirs and Successors at, and of every such Fifteenth so granted, or to be granted as is aforesaid, the said Sum of 500 l. and no more: And therefore for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, We do Will and Charge the Treasurer, Chan­cellor, and Barons of the Exchequer of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and of every of them for the time being, for ever hereafter that they do from time to time, receive and take of the Collector and Collectors of any Fifteenth at any time heretofore to Us granted and yet paiable, and heretofore granted to Us, and hereafter to be paid, and hereafter to Us, Our Heirs and Successors to be granted, all such Bills and Billets for the discarge of the said Barons of Our said Cinque-Ports, and of the said Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and of the Mem­bers of them and every of them, and of the Resiants of the said Ports, Towns and Members, and the Advocants of the same Ports and Towns, and of every of them for the time being, of the Sum of 500 l. part or parcel of every such Fifteenth before this time granted and yet payable, and heretofore granted [Page 59] unto Us, and hereafter to be paid, and hereafter to Us, Our Heirs or Successors to be granted as well all those Bills and Billets that be or hereafter shall be under the Seals of any of the Cinque-Ports and Towns of Rye and Winchelsea or any of them, as all those which be or hereafter shall 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 [Page 60] 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: [Page 61] 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, [Page 62] 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 [Page 63] 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 [Page 64] 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; [Page 65] 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 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 [Page 66] 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 [Page 67] 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 [Page 68] 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 [Page 69] 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, [Page 70] 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 [Page 71] the Town and Port of Dover; and to the Baron of the Town and Port of Sandwi [...]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 of Folkstone; and to the Baron of the Town of Feversham, and to the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Feversham; and to the Baron of the Town of Fordwich, and to the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Fordwich; and to the Ba­ron [Page 72] of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden, and to the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Hun­dred of Tenterden; by whatsoever Names or Name, or by whatsoever in­corporations or incorporation, or pre­tence of incorporation hitherto they have been, or now, and for the future shall be known, called or named; And We Warranting to them, and making them well-liking to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, as much as in Us lieth, all and singular their Liberties, Priviledes, Franchises, Customs, Freedoms, Ac­quitances, Exemptions, Jurisdictions, Fairs, Markets, Marts, Toll, Stallage, Piccage, Custom, Easments, Fines, Amercements, and other Profits and Hereditaments contained and specified in the said Letters Patents, or in any one or more of them, (by these Presents in no wise to be recalled, diminished, or changed) do Ratifie, Approve, Ac­cept of, and Confirm them by these Presents, as they have hitherto reaso­nably used them: And further of Our more free and special Grace, certain Knowledge and meer Motion, We have given, granted and confirmed, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and [Page 73] Successors, do give, grant, and confirm to the aforenamed Barons of the Cinque-Ports and the Antient Towns aforesaid, and of the Members of the same Ports and Towns, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Ha­sting in the County of Sussex, and to their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney in the County of Kent, and to their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth in the County of Kent, and to their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover in the County of Kent, and to their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich in the County of Kent, and to their Successors; and to the afore­said Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Antient Town of Win­chelsea in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, [Page 74] Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey in the County of Sussex, and their Suc­cessors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Seaford in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Lydd in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the afore­said Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Folkstone in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town of Feversham in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Fordwich in the County of Kent, and their Succes­sors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Ju­rats, and Commons of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden in the County of Kent, and their Successors, respectively: That every Mayor, and Jurat of every respective Port of the Cinque-Ports a­foresaid, and their Successors respective­ly, within every Port aforesaid, for every Port aforesaid, and for all other Places or Towns whatsoever, or any other Place and Town whatsoever be­longing [Page 75] to any Port aforesaid, or being a Member of any Port aforesaid, which have not within their selves or self a Mayor or Bayliff elected by the Com­mons of those places or place, Towns or Town: And also that every Mayor and Jurat of every of the Antient Towns aforesaid, and their Successors respectively; and every Mayor of the aforesaid Town of Feversham, and their Successors respectively; and every May­or and Jurat of every of the other Mem­bers of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid where there is a Mayor and Jurats, and their Successors respectively, within every Antient Town, and within the aforesaid Town of Feversham, and within every other Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid, for every of the Antient Towns afore­said, and for the aforesaid Town of Feversham, and for every other Member aforesaid respectively; and every Bay­liff and Jurat, and every Bayliff where there is no Jurat of every Member of the Ports aforesaid where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the same Member, and their Successors respe­ctively, within every other Member of the Ports aforesaid, for every such Mem­ber [Page 76] as above severally and respectively limited, may for the future for ever have and hold, and have power to have and to hold before the same Mayor and Jurats, and Mayor, and Bayliff, and Jurats, and Bayliff respectively within every such Port of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members afore­said, at some most convenient place, days, and accustomed times there re­spectively, one Court of Record: And that the same Mayors and Jurats, and Mayors, Bayliffs, and Jurats, and Bay­liffs and their Successors respectively, may and shall have in every Court of the said Courts severally and respective­ly, more fully and freely than they for­merly had in the same, full Power and Authority by these Presents of hearing and determining in the several Courts aforesaid respectively by some grievance in the same to be considered, and of holding all and singular the Suits of and concerning all and all manner of Debts, Accounts, Covenants, Contracts, Mis­demeanors by Force and Arms, or o­therwise done in contempt of Us, Our Heirs and Successors; detaining of Goods, Contempts, Cheatings, Writs of Withernam; and of and concerning [Page 77] all and all manner of other Actions,All Acti­ons Per­sonal and mixt. Real, Personal, and Mixt whatsoever; Suits of Assize of Fresh Disseisin, or of the Death of an Ancestor, or of Re­disseisin within every such Port, and Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same Port, or any other places or place, Towns or Town appertaining or belonging to any Port aforesaid, or being a Member of any such Port or Ports where neither Mayor nor Bayliff is elected respectively; and within every Antient Town aforesaid, and within the aforesaid Town of Fever­sham, and within every other Member aforesaid, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of every such Antient Towns, and of the Town of Feversham afore­said, and other Suits which any way happen or shall happen, chance or shall chance to be within any other Members aforesaid, respectively: And that the same Mayors and Jurats, and Mayors, and Bayliffs, and Jurats, and Jurats and Bayliffs, and their Successors respective­ly, may upon all such Pleas, Actions, Complaints of Assize of fresh Disseisin, or of the Death of an Ancestor, or of Redisseisin in the said Courts, or any of them which are, or shall be moved [Page 78] or redressed, have Power, Authority, and License to bring and force the Per­son or Persons against whom any such Pleas, Actions, or Complaints of As­size of Fresh Disseisin, or of the Death of an Ancestor, or of Redisseisin which shall happen to be moved or redressed in the Courts aforesaid, or any of them, to appear to the Suit by the Summons, At­tachments, or Distraint of the Sergeant of the Mace to the Mayors and Jurats, and Mayors, and Bayliffs, and Jurats, and Bayliffs of every Port, Antient Town, and Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid, or any of the same respectively; or by any other Officers who are or shall be deputed by them respectively for the same, or by any other Officers to be deputed by the aforesaid Courts or any of them; or by an Attachment of the Body of the Person or Persons by any such Sergeants of the Mace, or other Officers to be Executed according to the Law and Custom of Our Kingdom of England, or the Custom of any Port or Antient Town aforesaid, or of any Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid respectively, or according to the Custom used in any of our Burroughs or Coun­ties [Page 79] within Our Kingdom of England: And to hear and determine all and sin­gular the Pleas, Actions, Plaints, and Assize of Fresh Disseisin, of the Death of an Ancestor, or Redisseisin in any one of the Courts aforesaid respectively; and to bring and determine them by such like Proceedings, Considerations, Judg­ments, and Executions of Judgments, by which they bring and determine such like Pleas, Actions, Plaints of Assize of Fresh Disseisin, of the Death of an Ancestor, or of Redisseisin according to the Law of Our Kingdom of England in any of Our Courts, or according to the Custom in any of the Antient Towns aforesaid belonging to any such Port, or in any Member of the Ports and An­tient Towns aforesaid respectively, or in any Burrough, or County, or Liberty within the said Kingdom of England; Or they may be brought and deter­mined at the pleasure of the Mayors and Jurats, Mayor, Bayliff, and Jurats, and Bayliff respectively, and make and execute the Executions, Processes, and Judgments thereupon by the aforesaid Sergeant of the Mace, or any other Officer aforesaid: And that every May­or, Jurat, and Commons of any of the [Page 80] Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Mem­bers aforesaid whatsoever, where there is a Mayor, and their Successors respe­ctively; and all Bayliffs, Jurats, and Commons, and the Bayliffs and Com­mons of every Member of the Ports aforesaid, where the said Bayliffs are elected by the Commons of the Mem­bers aforesaid, and their Successors, may and shall have and receive to their own proper use and advantage respe­ctively, all and singular the Fines, A­mercements, Ransoms, Issues, Forfei­tures and other Profits whatsoever, coming, rising, chancing, or happening from and in the Courts aforesaid re­spectively: And that they may by their Officers levy, receive, seize, and keep all and singular those Fines, Ransoms, Amercements, Issues, Forfeitures, and Profits for their own proper use and advantage respectively from time to time, by an Action or Actions of Debt, or such other Suits, Actions, Means, Ways, and Proceedings to be had and prosecuted in any Court or Courts of Record within the Cinque-Ports, or Antient Towns aforesaid, or Members of the same aforesaid, or in any one or more of them, by which such like Fines, [Page 81] Amercements, Ransoms, Issues, For­feitures, and Profits are wont to be le­vied, received, and recovered in any of the Courts of Us, Our Heirs and Suc­cessors, throughout Our whole Kingdom of England; or may be without the im­pediment of Us, Our Heirs and Suc­cessors, or of any of Our Officers who­soever: And moreover for the better ruling and governing of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members aforesaid, We of Our special Grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion have given, granted, and confirmed, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, do give, grant and con­firm to the said Barons and honest Inha­bitants of the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid, and to the Members of the same Ports and Towns, and to their Successors, and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting in the County of Sussex and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town and Port of New-Romney in the County of Kent and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth in the County of Kent, [Page 82] and their Successors; and to the afore­said Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Sand­wich in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; And to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the An­tient Town of Winchelsea in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monaste­ry of Pevensey in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the afore­said Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Seaford in the County of Sussex, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Lydd in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats and Commons of the Town of Folkstone in the County of Kent, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town of Feversham in the County of Kent, and their Successors; [Page 83] and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Fordwich in the County of Kent, and their Succes­sors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Ju­rats, and Commons of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden in the County of Kent, and their Successors respectively; That every Mayor and Jurat of every Port of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports re­spectively within the Ports aforesaid, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same Ports, as also within all other Places and Towns, or any other Place and Town appertaining or be­longing to any Port aforesaid, or be­ing a Member of any Port aforesaid, in which Places or Towns, or in which Place or Town the Mayor or Bayliff is not chose by the Commons of those Places or Towns, or Place or Town, and their Successors respectively: And every Mayor and Jurat of either of the aforesaid Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea, and any Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid, where there is a Mayor, and their Suc­cessors respectively: As also every Bay­liff and Jurat of any Member of the Ports aforesaid, where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the same [Page 84] Member, and their Successors respe­ctively, within the Antient Towns and Members aforesaid, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same, se­verally, according as it is before limited, may and shall be henceforward for ever Keepers of the Peace,Keepers of the Peace. and Justices to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to keep the Peace for Us, Our Heirs and Successors; and 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 above­named, 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 [Page 85] 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; [Page 86] 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 [Page 87] 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, [Page 88] 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: [Page 89] 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 [Page 90] 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 [Page 91] 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, Fortune­telling, Art-magick, Trespasses, Fore­stallers, Regrators, Ingrossers, Extor­tions, Assemblings, Indictments afore­said, and all and singular the rest above­mentioned, 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, [Page 92] 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 [Page 93] 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 [Page 94] 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 [Page 95] 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 [Page 96] 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, and determine divers Felonies, Tres­passes, and other Misdemeanors, or to deliver Gaols, within the said Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, Members, and Places aforesaid, or within the Liber­ties, Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same, or any of them, at what time or upon what cause soever those things shall chance or happen to be: And that [Page 97] every Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of every of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members aforesaid where there is a Mayor, and their Successors respectively; and every Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; and Bayliff and Com­mons of every of the Members of the Ports aforesaid, where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the Members aforesaid, and their Successors respe­ctively,All Fines, Issues, &c. may and shall have and receive to their own proper use and advantage respectively, all and all manner of Fines, Issues, Ransoms, Amercements, Forfei­tures and Profits whatsoever, which shall from time to time for ever for the future be seized, forfeited, adjudged, come, happen, or fall out before the abovenam­ed Justices of Us, Our Heirs and Succes­sors, that are to keep the Peace, and also those that are to enquire after, hear, and determine divers Felonies, Trespasses, and other Misdemeanors, or those that deliver Gaols belonging to Us, Our Heirs or Successors, within the said Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, Mem­bers and Places aforesaid, or before any one of those whosoever respective­ly; and that they may levy and receive all those things by their own proper [Page 98] and several Officers, for their own pro­per use respectively, without any de­duction from thence to be made to the Exchequer of Us, Our Heirs or Suc­cessors; and without the impediment of Us,Without any de­duction from thence to Our Exche­quer, &c. And without impedi­ment. Our Heirs or Successors, or Our Ministers whosoever: Notwithstanding We Will, and Our intent is, and by these Presents We grant and confirm for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to the aforesaid Mayors, Jurats, and Com­mons; Bayliffs, Jurats, and Commons; and Bayliffs and Commons of every Port, Antient Towns aforesaid, and the Members aforesaid, and to their Suc­cessors respectively, That every Mayor, Bayliff, and Jurat aforesaid, who now is, or hereafter shall be respectively, before that he or they be admitted to the executing the Office of a Justice of Peace within any of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, Members or Places aforesaid, or within the Li­berties, Bounds, Limits, or Precincts of the same respectively, by virtue of these Our Letters Patents,An Oath to per­form and execute the Of­fice. or of the aforesaid Letters Patents of Our said most Dear Grandfather James, shall and may from time to time take such a Corporal Oath upon the Sacred Gospel [Page 99] of God, faithfully to execute that Of­fice in all things and through all things according as he shall be Constituted and Ordained by the Laws and Ordinances made for that purpose by the above­mentioned Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons; Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; and Bayliff and Commons of every of the Ports, Antient Towns, and Mem­bers aforesaid, and their Successors re­spectively, or the major part of them, without any other Warrant, Writ, or Commission to be procured or obtained from Us, Our Heirs or Sucessors, viz. That every Mayor and Bayliff afore­said, who now is or hereafter shall be respectively, may and shall from time to time take such an Oath as it is above­said, before the aforesaid Jurats, or any two or more of them respectively, who now are or hereafter shall be; and that every of the aforesaid Jurats who now is or hereafter shall be, shall and may from time to time take that Oath as it is aforesaid, before the aforesaid Mayors and Bayliffs who now are or hereafter shall be respectively, without any other Warrant, Writ or Commis­sion to be procured or obtained from Us, Our Heirs or Successors; (to which

Mayors, Jurats, and Commons; Bay­liff, Jurats, and Commons; Bayliff and Commons of every of the Ports, An­tient Towns, and Members aforesaid, and to their Successors respectively, We give and grant by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, full Power and Authority to ordain and make the said Laws and Ordinances from time to time.) And moreover We Will, and by these Presents do give, grant, and confirm for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to the same Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons; Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; and Bayliff and Commons of every of the Ports, Antient Towns, and Mem­bers aforesaid, and to their Successors respectively, That the aforesaid Mayors, Bayliffs, and Jurats who now are, or hereafter shall be respectively, shall for the future from time to time for ever have full Power and Authority of Ad­ministring such an Oath, as is afore­said, to all and singular Persons who are, or hereafter shall be chosen into the Office of a Mayor, Bayliff, or Ju­rat of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, or the Members aforesaid, or of any one or more of them respectively, without any other or further Warrant, [Page 101] Writ or Commission to be had or pro­cured for that purpose from Us, Our Heirs or Successors: And further We Will, and by these Presents do grant for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to the abovementioned Mayor, Jurats, and Commons; Bayliff, Jurats, and Com­mons; and Bayliff and Commons of every of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same, and to their Successors respectively, That if it shall happen that any Mayor of any Port, or of any Antient Town, or of a Member of the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid where there is a Mayor for the time being; Or that any Bayliff of any Member of the Ports aforesaid, for the time being, should hereafter be in such a manner troubled with Sickness, or any other infirmity for some time or times, or by some other cause just and reasonable be so detained or made unfit, that he or they cannot at present look to the Offices of Mayor, and Bayliff, and the necessary businesses thereunto be­longing; Or that for any reasonable cause he should go out of the Ports, Antient Towns, and Members afore­said; That then and so often, it may [Page 102] and shall be lawful for any such Mayor and Bayliff of any of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same for the time be­ing respectively, to make and appoint any one Jurat of the said Port, Antient Town, and Member aforesaid respe­ctively where the said Mayor or Bayliff for the time being was, to be the De­puty of the said Mayor or Bayliff be­ing, as is aforesaid, troubled with Sick­ness or any infirmity, or upon some reasonable account, absent, detained, or made unfit,A Depu­ty to be made for a Mayor or Bay­l ff. as 'tis abovesaid; Which Deputy put in the Office of the Mayor, or Bayliff aforesaid, so made and ap­pointed, may and shall be the Deputy of the said Mayor or Bayliff respective­ly from time to time, as often as the aforesaid Mayor or Bayliff respectively shall happen to be so troubled with Sickness or any infirmity, or upon any other reasonable account be detained or made unfit, or be absent as is afore­said; and may continue Deputy all the time the aforesaid Mayor or Bayliff shall continue in the Office of Mayor or Bayliff respectively, unless in the mean time the aforesaid Mayor or Bayliff shall make or appoint another Jurat of [Page 103] the said Port, Antient Town, or Mem­ber aforesaid respectively, his Deputy: And that every such Deputy of the aforesaid Mayor or Bayliff so made and appointed as is aforementioned, may by virtue of these Our Letters Patents do and execute all and singular of those things which do or may belong to the Office of a Mayor or Bayliff respective­ly, which are to be done and executed from time to time as often as the afore­said Mayor or Bayliff respectively shall so happen to be troubled with Sickness or any infirmity, or be detained, made unfit, or be absent; during such time as the aforesaid Deputy of the said Mayor or Bayliff shall be and continue, as fully, freely, and entirely, and may in as ample manner and form do and execute them as if the Mayor or Bayliff aforesaid were present, (a Corporal Oath upon the Sacred Gospel of God for the good and faithful performance of all and singular the things which belong to the Office of a Deputy of the Mayor or Bayliff aforesaid, being first taken by such a Deputy, before one or more of the other Jurats aforesaid of the Port, Antient Town, or Mem­ber aforesaid respectively) and as often [Page 104] as such a chance shall so happen: And moreover We Will, and by these Pre­sents do grant and confirm for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to the same May­or, Jurats, and Commons; Bayliff, Ju­rats, and Commons; and Bayliff and Commons of every Port, Antient Town, and Member aforesaid, and to their Successors respectively, That every such one or more of the Jurats may from time to time for the future have full power and authority of giving and administring such Corporal Oath upon the Sacred Gospel of God, as is abovesaid, to every Deputy of a Mayor or Bayliff in such a case as is afore­mentioned to be appointed, without any further Writ, Commission or fur­ther Warrant to be procured or ob­tained upon that account from Us, Our Heirs or Successors: And further, That the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, and Antient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea aforesaid, and of the Members of the same Ports and An­tient Towns, may the more commo­diously perform the Service of their Ships aforesaid to Us, Our Heirs and Successors at fit times; As also for the better rule, government, and preser­vation [Page 105] of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, and the aforesaid Antient Towns, and Members o [...] every of the same Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns, We do grant and confirm to the same Barons of the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns afore­said, and of the Members of the same Ports and Towns, and to their Suc­ccessors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of New-Romney, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Heeth, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town and Port of Dover, and their Successors; and to the afore­said Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye, and their Suc­cessors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Antient Town of Winchelsea, and their Suc­cessors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town [Page 106] and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey, and their Successors; and to the afore­sa [...]d Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Seaford, and their Suc­cessors; and to the aforesaid Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Lydd, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town of Folkstone, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Feversham, and their Succes­sors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Ju­rats, and Commons of the Town of Fordwich, and their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden, and their Successors, for the maintaining and preserving the Service of their Navy aforesaid to be perform­ed to Us, Our Heirs or Successors; or for the defending and maintaining the Liberty of Franchises, Customs, Pri­viledges, and Burdens of every Port and Antient Town aforesaid, and of every Member of the Ports and An­tient Towns aforesaid respectively; as also for the maintaining all Necessa­ries and Offices whatsoever of every Port and Antient Town, and of every [Page 107] Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid, or any of them re­spectively, according to the above­mentioned limitation; That every Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of e­very Port of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports respectively, may in and upon them­selves and all other Inhabitants and Resiants whatsoever, within every such Port, the Bounds, Limits, and Pre­cincts of the same Port, and within any other Place or Places, Town or Towns whatsoever belonging to any Port aforesaid, or being a Member of any such Port, and not having within themselves a Mayor or Bayliff chosen by the Commons of the same Place or Places, as is abovesaid; and upon all and singular Land-rents and Inheri­tances whatsoever, within any of those Ports, the Bounds, Limits, and Pre­cincts of the same, and within any o­ther Place or Places, Town or Towns belonging to any of the Ports afore­said, or being a Member of any Port not having a Mayor or Bayliff elected respectively, as is abovementioned: And upon all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Merchandises of all and singular the Inhabitants and Resiants, [Page 108] whether Possessors or Tenants of any such Lands or Inheritances whatsoever within any such Port, the Liberties, Limits, and Precincts of the same, and within any other Place or Places, Town or Towns belonging to any Port afore­said, or being a Member of any such Port not having within themselves a Mayor or Bayliff elected respectively, as is aforementioned; and every May­or, Jurats, and Commons of any of the Antient Towns aforesaid, and of any Member of the Ports and Antient Towns aforesaid where there is a Mayor respectively, may in and upon themselves, and upon any others of the Inhabitants and Resiants within any such Antient Town, the Liberties, Limits, and Precincts of the same, and within any such Member, the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same Member respectively; and upon all and singular Land-rents and Inheritances whatsoever, within any such Antient Town and any such Member, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts belong­ing to the same respectively; as also upon all and singular the Goods, Chat­tels, and Merchandises of all and sin­gular the Inhabitants or Resiants, whe­ther [Page 109] Possessors or Tenants of any such Lands or Inheritances whatsoever, within every such Antient Town, and every such Member, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts belonging to any one of them; and every Bayliff, Ju­rats, and Commons; and Bayliff, and Commons of every Member of the Ports aforesaid where such Bayliff is chosen by the Commons of the said Member respectively, may in and upon themselves and any other Inhabitants and Resiants whatsoever, within every such Member, Bounds, Limits, and Precincts of the same; and in and up­on all and singular the Land-rents, and Inheritances whatsoever, within every such Member, and the Bounds, Limits, and Precincts belonging to every such Member respectively; as also they may in and upon all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Merchandises of all and singular the Inhabitants, whether Pos­sessors or Tenants of any such Lands or Inheritances whatsoever within eve­ry such Member, and the Bounds, Li­mits, and Precincts of the same respe­ctively, set, assess, and lay from time to time as often as it shall seem neces­sary to them, the Reasonable and Ra­table [Page 110] Taxes of Scot, Shot and Lot, Tallage, and the Reasonable Taxes commonly called Common Fines,Com­mon Fines. Im­posts, and Sums of Money to be paid within certain times or time to that purpose by them respectively limited and appointed; and by the same to be taken and levied upon the Inhabitants and Resiants aforesaid, or upon their Goods, Chattels, and Merchandises, Land-rents, Tenements, and Inheri­tances aforesaid respectively, by the distraint and sale of the same,By the sale. or the imprisonment of the Bodies of the Persons aforesaid and every of them, upon whom such Taxes of Scot, Lot, Shot,As by the im­prison­ment of their Bodies. Tallage, Taxes called Common Fines, Imposts, and Sums of Money, as is abovementioned, may or shall be put, laid, or assessed; Or which otherwise may be prosecuted by an Action or Acti­ons of Debt in any Court of Record of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports or Antient Towns aforesaid, or Members of the same against any such Person or Per­sons respectively; Or may be recovered and obtained by any other legal pro­ceeding whatsoever, as it shall seem best to them; and may be had, held, and enjoyed without any impediment of Us, [Page 111] Our Heirs or Successors Justices, or of any other the Ministers of Us, Our Heirs or Successors whatsoever; and all and singular the Premises afore­said by these Presents above granted or confirmed, or mentioned to be here­after granted and confirmed to the a­foresaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports and Antient Towns and Members of the same Ports and Towns, and to their Successors; and to the aforesaid Mayor, Jurats, and Commons; Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; and Bayliff and Com­mons of the same Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same, and to their Successors respectively for ever; For the payment and performance of so many, so great, the same and such like Feofarms, Services, Rents, Sums of Tribute-pence, and demands whatso­ever to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, as many, as great, such, and which as are or heretofore were due, accustomed, and payable to Us or Our Predecessors: Wherefore We Will, and by these Pre­sents firmly enjoyning, do Command for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, That the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports, and Antient Towns, and Mem­bers of the same, and their Successors, [Page 112] and every of them and their Successors; As also that the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Hasting aforesaid, and their Successors; as also the Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town and Port of New-Romney aforesaid, and their Successors; as also the Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town and Port of Heeth aforesaid, and their Successors; as also the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Dover aforesaid, and their Successors; and also the May­or, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Port of Sandwich aforesaid, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Antient Town of Rye, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Antient Town of Win­chelsea, and their Successors; and also the Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Priviledged Monastery of Pevensey aforesaid, and their Suc­cessors; and also the Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Seaford aforesaid, and their Successors; as also the Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Lydd aforesaid, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, [Page 113] and Commons of the Town of Folk­stone aforesaid, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, and Com­mons of the Town of Feversham afore­said, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town of Fordwich aforesaid, and their Successors; and also the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Town and Hundred of Tenterden aforesaid, and their Successors, and every of them and their Successors respectively have, hold, use, and enjoy, and may for ever have, hold, use, and enjoy all and sin­gular the Liberties, Authorities, Juris­dictions, Eranchises, Acquitances, Lands, Tents, Fairs, Marts, Markets, freedom from Toll and Tribute, Cu­stom, and Priviledges aforesaid accord­ing to the Form and Tenor of these Our Letters Patents, and other Grants made to them, without any Action or impediment of Us,Without the im­pedi­ment. Our Heirs or Suc­cessors, Justices, Sheriffs, Escheators, or other Bayliffs or Ministers of Us, Our Heirs and Successors whatsoever: Nor Will We that they or their Suc­cessors or any of them by reason of their Liberties or Immunities aforesaid,We will not. be prosecuted, molested, vexed, or [Page 114] grieved, accused, or be in any thing troubled by any Action of Us, or Our Heirs, Justices, Sheriffs, Escheators, or other Bayliffs or Ministers of Us, Our Heirs or Successors whosoever: We will and by these Presents Com­mand and Charge as well Our Trea­surer, Chancellor, and Barons of Our Exchequer at Westminster, and the other Justices of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, as Our Attorney and Sollicitor General for the time being,Attor­ney and Sollici­tor to the King. and every of them, and all other Our Officers and Ministers whosoever, That neither they nor any of them shall prosecute or continue, or cause or make to be prosecuted or con­tinued any Writ or Summons of Quo Warranto, Quo War­ranto. or any other Writ or Writs, or Process whatsoever in Our Name, against them or any of them for any Reasons, Accounts, Matters, Claims, or Offences aforesaid, or against any one or more of them respectively for any such things which were due, claim­ed, attempted, used, had, or usurped in the time of the late Rebellion, and Revolting from the King, or at any other time before the making of these Presents:We will. We Willing also that they or their Successors or any of them be [Page 115] in no wise hindred or molested, or be compelled to answer for any such thing or things, by any of the Justices, Of­ficers, or Ministers of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, in or for any due, use, claim, or abuse of any of the Liberties, Franchises, or Jurisdictions aforesaid in the time of the Rebellion and Re­volting aforesaid, or at any other time before the day of the making of these Our Letters Patents: Provided always, and Our Royal intent is, That these Our Letters Patents, or any thing therein contained be not in any wise prejudicial to the Warden or Keeper for the time being of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same, as to any Jurisdictions, Autho­rities, Liberties, or Priviledges within the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same, hi­therto lawfully used and exercised by the said Wardens or Keepers of the Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same: Provided also, That these Letters Patents, or any thing or things contained or men­tioned in the same may in no wise extend or be extended to the confirming, streng­thening, establishing, approving, or [Page 116] ratifying certain Letters Patents, or any thing or things in the same con­tained or mentioned, made by the Lord Henry the Sixth, late King of England, under his great Seat of England bear­ing Date the Twenty eighth day of No­vember, in the Five and twentieth year of his Reign, unto the Mayor of the Town of Feversham, and to the Barons and Commons of the same Town, and their Successors; Or heretofore made or granted, or mentioned to be granted under the Name of any other Incorpo­ration whatsoever; Nor to the con­firming, strengthening, establishing, approving, or ratifying any Liberties, Franchises, Immunities, Priviledges, Exemptions, Grants, thing or things whatsoever given, granted, confirmed, contained, specified or mentioned in the same Letters-Patents of the said late King Henry the Sixth; Nor to the confirming any other Letters Patents whatsoever concerning the confirma­tion, strengthning, or approving of the aforesaid Letters Patents of the said late King Henry the Sixth, or of any thing or things contained or mentioned in the same Letters Patents of the said late Henry the Sixth, any thing in those [Page 117] Patents to the contrariwise notwith­standing: And We further Will,We will further. and by these Presents do Ordain, and strict­ly enjoyning, do Command for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, That all every May­or, Bayliff, Jurat, Recorder, Coroner, Common Clerk, Constable, and all other Officers and Ministers of the aforesaid Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the same, or any of them respectively, and their Deputies; as also that all Justices of Peace to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, within the same Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, or Members of the same, or any one or more of them, by the virtue and ac­cording to the Tenour of these our Letters Patents, or of any other Letters Patents, or Charters heretofore made, who are now appointed, or hereafter are to be nominated, chosen, or ap­pointed, before they be admitted to the performance or exercise of the Office or Offices of the Place or Places to which they have been respectively so nominat­ed, appointed, elected, or ordained, or shall hereafter be nominated, elected, or ordained, or before that they or any of them respectively in any wise enter upon such Place, they and every of [Page 118] them shall take as well the Corporal Oath commonly called, The Oath of Obe­dience, as the Corporal Oath commonly called, The Oath of Supremacy, upon the Sacred Gospels of God, before such Person or Persons, as and which are at present, or shall be for the fu­ture appointed and designed to give and tender such like Oaths by the Law and Statute of this Our Kingdom of Eng­land: And We further Will, and by these Presents do Ordain and Declare for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, That when any election for the future shall be made of any Person or Persons who­soever into the Office of a Recorder, or into the Office of a Town Clerk to any of the Ports, Towns, Members, or Places aforesaid, otherwise than of such and such-like Person and Persons who are now chosen and preferr'd in such-like Office or Offices, and do now serve in the same or either of them respectively, if so be that We, Our Heirs or Successors by any Writing or Warrant under the Hand and Seal of Us, Our Heirs or Successors shall declare or signifie to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, or to the Mayor, Ju­rats, and Commons; or to the Bayliff, [Page 119] Jurats, and Commons; or to the Bay­liff and Commons of the Ports and An­tient Towns aforesaid, and their Mem­bers, or to any other Officers and Mem­bers of those Ports and Towns, and the Members of the same respectively, to which such Election or Elections re­spectively do belong to be made; Our or Our Heirs and Successors disallow­ing of such Person or Persons respe­ctively so elected to serve in such like Office or Offices to which, as is afore­said, he or they were elected respe­ctively, That then and so often both by and after such declaration and signifi­cation made in the form aforesaid, the Election or Elections of such Person or Persons so disallowed as is abovesaid, shall be void and of none effect: And that from that time it may and shall be lawful for the Barons of the Cinque-Ports aforesaid, and the Members of the same; or for the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons of the Ports and An­tient Towns aforesaid, and of the Mem­bers of the same; or for the Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; or for the Bay­liff and Commons of those Ports and Towns, and the Members of the same, or any one or more of them respective­ly, [Page 120] to whom such Election or Elections respectively belong to be made, to chuse, nominate, and Swear any other honest and discreet Person or Persons, fit for the executing the Office or Of­fices aforesaid unto which he or they shall be respectively nominated and e­lected into the Place or Places of such Person or Persons, so, as is aforesaid, elected and afterwards disallowed; ac­cording to the Tenor of these Presents, and other Letters Patents and Grants of any of Our Predecessors made for that purpose: And thus as often as such a Case shall happen, (any thing contain­ed in these Presents, or any other reason, cause, or matter whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstand­ing.) And that expess mention is not made in these Presents of the true yearly value, or of the certainty of the Premises or of any of them, or of other Gifts or Grants heretofore made by Us, or by any of our Progenitors or Predecessors to the aforesaid Barons of the Cinque-Ports, and to the Mayor, Jurats, and Commons; to the Bayliff, Jurats, and Commons; and to the Bay­liff and Jurats of the same Cinque-Ports, Antient Towns, and Members of the [Page 121] same, and to their Successors; Or any Act, Ordinance, Proviso, Proclamation, or Restraint to the contrary heretofore had, made, published, ordained, or provided, or any other reason, cause, or matter whatsoever in any thing not­withstanding. In Witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness Our Self at Westminster the Three and twentieth day of De­cember, in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of Us Charles the Se­cond, &c.