The New Romney and Cinque Port Records

g^rftawlfljjia djianiianx THE NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. BY MAJOR TEICHMAN-DERVILLE, M.A. (Mayor of New Romney and Speaker of the Cinque Ports). v* <0 MAYOB'S SEAL (displaying the ancient arms of the Jurats of Romene). I THE NEW ROMNEY RECORDS. INTRODUCTION . THE first attempt at a Catalogue of the Town's archives was made in the reign of Queen Ehzabeth, and a list of the documents then held by the Corporation is written out in an old parchment-covered volume called the Booke of Notte. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries considerable care was taken of the records, which were often consulted in cases of questionable claims, but in the early nineteenth century their value was not recognised, and the following story of that period is typical of the light in which they were regarded. 5 2 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS It appears books and documents had been relegated to a room under the Town Hall, given up to the Volunteers for an Armoury. One day the Hall Keeper asked the Corporation what should be done with the old books and papers, and was answered with a unanimous cry of " Burn them." The Mayor of that day, however, interfered and, realising their value, eventually managed to have them again stored. To such slender threads do we owe their preservation today. No further interest appears subsequently to have been shown until the early seventies, when Romney was fortunate enough to have as Mayor a keen archaeologist in the person of Mr. H. Bacheler Walker who, with the assistance of the Rev. Waterman Gardner-Waterman, undertook the work of sorting out and examiriing the documents. A few years later, Mr. Riley visited the town on an official inspection of the records, and himself translated some of the books. Extracts from them were published in 1874, in the fourth, fifth and sixth volumes of the Historical Manuscripts Commission Report. The first regular classification, however, was not made until 1885 by Mr. Salisbury, whose detailed report can be read in Volume XVII of the Archceologia Cantiana. But when an inspection of the books and loose documents of the town was made in 1926, a state of hopeless confusion was again found to exist; the endorsements on the parcels rarely bore any relation to the contents, many of the papers were damp and decaying, and the immediate necessity for a thorough revision and new cataloguing was only too evident. Under these circumstances, the assistance of Mr. R. Holworthy and Miss D. 0. Shilton, two of our leading archivists, was obtained and, with their help, the subjoined classification was completed. To give some idea of the disorder existing when the documents were inspected, it may be mentioned that in one parcel of brown paper endorsed " Old papers of no value," the three missing pages of the Second Assessment Book NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS 0 PS 1 ' u.M ' ' 'i' I I • , 1 ' ' ' r»T\'' ! i • ' ' < Jovori a J stane, Faveresham and [as above]. | ] Mergate, not for soil but J [for goods. •J f To which belong Forth- Five ships as Romenal I gan(jwich) w^c-a' Peeulvere, Sare or Hethe. [ j and Dale, not for soil but [for goods. Sum of the ships, 57 ships. Sum of the men in the same, 1197 men excluding boys. Sum of the boys, 57 boys. The service which the barons of the Cinque Ports acknowledge that they do to the King at his summons [is] yearly, if it shall happen, for 15 days at their own proper cost, provided the first day be reckoned from the day on which they shall raise their sails to sail towards those parts to which they have to go, and for further time as long as the King shall wish, at the King's cost. 16 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. I l l PROCLAMATION. AN ACT THAT PERSONS, BEINGE NO COMMON SURGIONS, MAY MINISTER OTTTWARDE MEDICINES. Where in the Parhament holden at Westmynster in the iii yere of the Kynge's moste gracious reigne, amongest othere thynges, for the advoiding of sorceries, witchecraft, and other inconveniences, it was "enacted that no person within the citie of London nor within vii miles of the same, shulde take upon hym to exercise and occupie as phisition or surgion, except he be fyrst examined approved and admitted by the bysshop of London, and others, under and upon certeyne peynes and penalties in the same act mentioned. Sithens the makynge of which sayde acte, the company and fellowship of surgions of London, minding onely theire owne lucres, and nothyng the profyte or ease of the diseased or patient, have sued, troubled and vexed divers honest persons, as well men as women, whom god hath endued with the knowledge of the nature, kynde and operation of certeyne herbes, rootes and waters, and the administering of them to such as ben peyned with customal diseases : as women's sore, a pin, and the webbe in the eye, uncomes of handes, scaldinges, burninges, sore mouthes, stone strangury, saucehm, and morf ew, and such other like diseases : and yet the sayd persons have not taken anythynge for theyr peynes, or cunninge, but have ministered the same to the poore people onely for neyghbourhood and goddes sake, and of pitie and charitie. And it is nowe well knowen, that the surgions admitted, wyll do no cure to any persone, but where they shah knowe to be rewarded with a greatter summe or rewarde than the cure extendeth unto, for in case they woulde minister theyr cunninge to sore people unrewarded, there shulde not so many rotte and perishe to death for lacke of helpe of surgery NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 17 as dayly do : but the greatteste parte of the persones of the sayde crafts of surgions have small cunninge, yet they wyl take great summes of money, and do lyttle therfor/and by reason therof, they do often tymes empaire and hurt theyr pacientes, rather than do them good. In consideration wherof, and for the ease, comfort, succour, helpe, reliefe, and helthe of the Kynge's poore subjectes, inhabitauntes ofthis his realme, nowe peyned or diseased, or that hereafter shalbe peyned or diseased, be it ordeyned, establyshed, and enacted by the authority of this present parliament, that at all times from hensforthe, it shall be lefull to every person beynge the Kynge's subjecte, havynge knowledge and experience of the nature of herbes, rootes and waters, or of the operation of the same, by speculation or practise, within any parte of the realme of Englande, or within any other the Kynge's Dominions, to practise, use, and minister in and to any outward sore, uncome, wounde, apostemations, outwarde swehynge, or disease, any herbe or herbes, oyntment, bathes, pultes and emplasters, accordyng to theyr cunninge, experience and knowledge in any of the diseases, sores and maladies before sayde, and all other like to the same, or drinkes for the stone strangury, or agues, without sute, vexation, trouble, penaltie or losse of theyr goodes; the foresayde statute in the foresayde iii yere of the Kynge's moste gracious reigne, or any other acte, ordinaunce, or statute to the contrary herof hertofore made in any wise not withstandinge. GOD SAVE THE KYNG. Thos. Berthelet regis impressor excutit cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. 18 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. IV THE CINQUE PORT RECORDS. INTRODUCTION. From the fifteenth century onwards, if not from earlier times, New Romney as the central Port and place of assembly, has been the official depository of the books, documents and papers belonging to the Cinque Ports, Ancient Towns, and their members. They are at present stored in an iron chest, constructed in 1828 and fitted with two keys, one of which is held by the Mayor of New Romney and the other by the solicitors to the Ports. While the attached inventory is complete so far as the collection at Romney is concerned, it should be realised that many of the other Cinque Ports must still be in possession of documents which apply to the whole confederacy as much as to the individual town, and it is hoped that before long this hst may be supplemented by a further classification of other records so held. The value of the books, etc., appears to have been long realised by the authorities responsible and, in accordance with decrees of " Brotherhood and Guesthngs," schedules of them were prepared in 1726, 1828, 1857, and 1904. They were, however, never officially pubhshed, and it has consequently been difficult for the historical student to ascertain their contents. The subjoined classification is the most detailed that has yet been attempted, and includes not only various records formerly held by the Corporations of Lydd and New Romney now transferred into the Cinque Port chest, but also sundry recent additions. Compared with the last report issued by Sir Wollaston Knocker, C.B., in 1904, the foUowing points may be mentioned. NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 19 The Charter of Charles II and the Lord Wardens' progress into Kent, 1694, are still missing, but it is understood that the former has since been recovered, and is at present in the possession of the Corporation of Dover. In order to facilitate research, it is of great importance that records deahng with one subject should be as far as possible deposited in one place, and it is hoped the authorities may see their way to have the charter in question replaced, together with that of Charles I in the Cinque Port chest. Although it may be considered hardly to come within the scope of this report, the absence from the chest of the remains of the Cinque Ports Banner, always referred to in previous schedules, perhaps calls for comment. As may be seen from the Solicitor's report of 1904, it was then considered that the remnants of the old flag were so rotten that the expense likely to be incurred in preserving and restoring them would not be justified by the result. Six years ago, however, at the request of the New Romney authorities, the matter was re-opened, and permission for its restoration obtained. The repaired Flag was subsequently removed to Dover, and is now to be seen in that town. In view of the recent question as to the correct emblazoning of the Cinque Ports Arms, especially with regard to the demi-hulls, an illustration of the banner is given at the end of this report. According to J. D. Parry in his Coast of Sussex, 1833, the arms are given as : " Per pale ' gules ' and ' azure ' three demi-lions ' or ' impahng ' azure' three demi-ships ' argent ' ," but no authority is given. This blazoning has been fohowed by the towns of Sandwich and Rye, in some of whose seals the Cinque Port arms appear. The banner in question, however (made pursuant to a Cinque Port resolution in 1632) displays the demi-hulls as " or," and this is supported by a similar representation on an old map in the possession of the Corporation of Romney, dated 1683. 2 0 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. Since it is understood no actual grant of arms can be traced, it is suggested that the supporters of the latter blazon for the confederation as a whole are probably correct. To refer again to the actual records, apart from the Charters, the Great White and Black Books, and the form of the proclamation of the Yarmouth Free Fair, undoubtedly the most interesting items to be noted are the series of forty-one diaries or relations written by the Bailiffs of the Cinque Ports on the occasion of their yearly visits to the M <5- THE ARMS OF THE CINQUE PORTS. Yarmouth fair as " True and certayne Records and remembrances of the manner of their entertaynement, and of their actes, orders and proceedings " during that time. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, as many as eight and even ten bailiffs were sent yearly from the Cinque Ports to regulate the Herring Fair, but in the sixteenth century, as Yarmouth grew in importance, the number had been reduced to two; one selected from Sandwich, Dover, Hythe and Romney to represent the eastern, and one from Hastings, Rye and Winohelsea to represent the western Ports. NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 21 The relations themselves are of extraordinary interest as illustrating everyday life, manners, and court procedure in Ehzabethan times, and each year on the return of the bailiffs were read aloud before the assembled Ports. So far, only two have been pubhshed, that of 1588 in Volume XII of the Sussex Archaeological Collections, 1860, and that of 1603 in the History of Great Y.armouth by C. J. Palmer, 1856. In the fourth Volume of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1874, Mr. H. T. Riley refers to the diary of 1593 as " full of quaint matter, which deserves to see the light in the way of pubhcation." The majority of these relations, including those mentioned, have been transcribed during the past few years, and it is hoped that the pubhcation of a selection of the most interesting may be undertaken in the near future. Details of the rest of the Documents will be found in the classification. RECORDS, BOOKS, PAPERS, AND DOCUMENTS BELONGING TO THE CINQUE PORTS, ANTIBNT TOWNS, AND THEIR MBMBBRS, DEPOSITED IN THE CINQUE PORT CHEST AND THE OAK Box AT NEW ROMNEY. 1. 1433 to 1567. The Great White Book of the Cinque Ports. Being a Decree Book or register of the proceedings of the Brotherhoods and Guestlings, consisting of 264 pages, and an index to the various decrees, 34 pages. At the beginning are some entries concerning the Coronation of King Richard III. and Queen Anne. The volume is, as a whole, in good condition, though a few pages at the beginning have suffered from dampness, and at least one page is missing at the end.. -2. 1572 to the present day. "The Register Book of the Cincqz Portes of England," commonly called "The Black Book of the Cinque Ports," containing minutes of the Brotherhoods and Guestlings held. 3. Bound manuscript index to the White Book and Black Book. 22 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 4. 1582 to 1639. Diaries kept by the Bailiffs of the Cinque Ports during their annual visits to Great Yarmouth for the Fair. 41 volumes. They are all written on foolscap, containing between twelve and twenty-four pages, and are sometimes bound in a vellum cover. The following are the dates of the relations, the names of the Bailiffs and, where possible, the Ports or towns they represented. 1582. Richard French and Thomas Maister. [incomplete]. 1584. Richard Lyff (Hastings) and William Willes (—). 1585. Michael Pixe (Hythe) and Thomas Edolphe (Rye). 1588. Thomas Lake (Hastings) and Henry Lennarde (Dover). 1593. William Dydsburye and William Browninge. 1595. John Lunsford (Hastings) and John Mynge (New Romney). 1597. Robert Wood (Rye) and Reginald Robins (Hythe). 1600. William Bysshop (Hastings) and George Byng (Dover). 1605. Thomas Sprott (Hythe) and Richard Portryff (Rye). 1606. Richard Ellis (Hastings) and Francis Evernden (New Romney). 1607. William Wood (Sandwich) and Robert Butler (Winohelsea). 1608. Richard Wytherys (Hastings) and Edward Kempe (Dover). 1609. Thomas Ensigne (Rye) and John Grove (Hythe). 1610. Peter Harry (Hastings) and Stephen Brett (New Romney). 1611. Josua Pordage (Sandwich) and Paul Wymond (Winohelsea). 1612. Thomas Younge (Hastings) and Robert Garrett (Dover). 1613. William Reeve (Hythe) and John Benbrick (Rye). 1614. Clement Whitfield (Hastings) and William Heblethwayte (New Romney). 1615. John Jacob (Sandwich) and John Egglestone (Winohelsea). NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 23 1616. Richard Boys (Hastings) and William Ward (Dover). 1617. William Knight (Hythe) and Marke Thomas (Rye). 1618. Richard Waller (Hastings) and Peter Lancaster (New Romney). 1619. Arthur Ruck (Sandwich) and William Wymond (Winohelsea). 1620. Jeremiah Briham (Hastings) and John Waad (Dover). 1621. William Marche (Hythe) and Richard Gibberidge (Rye). 1622. John Brett (Hastings) and William Clarke (New Romney). 1623. John Herbert (Sandwich) and Paul Wymond (Winohelsea). 1624. Nathaniel Lasher (Hastings) and Thomas Foord (Dover). 1625. David Goram (Hythe) and Richard Cockram (Rye). 1626. Thomas Brian (Hastings) and Stephen Etherick (New Romney). 1628. John Barley (Hastings) and Nicholas Eaton (Dover). 1629. Richard Hutson (Hythe) and John Nowell (Rye). 1630. John Dunck (Hastings) and John Beadle (New Romney). 1631. Mathew Peake (Sandwich) and Thomas Fray (Winchelsea). 1632. William Barker (Hastings) and Stephen Monins (Dover). 1633. George Reve (Hythe) and Edward Benbricke (Rye). 1634. Crompe and Wivill [incomplete]. 1636. Thomas Russell (Hastings) and Thomas Tyddeman (Dover). 1637. Guy Langdon (Hythe) and Roger Bamford (Rye). 1638. Thomas Barlowe (Hastings) and John Wilcocke (New Romney). 1639. Henry Forstall (Sandwich) and William Thorpe (Winchelsea). 2 4 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 5. 1332. Copy of the "Acts and Ordinances concerning the privileges, liberties and Jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports to the Bailiffs within the Town of Great Yarmouth yearly during the fair there " of 5 Edward III. 6. The form of Proclaiming the Free Fair at Yarmouth. Parchment, two membranes ; the first having an interesting illuminated heading, and both a coloured border. 7. 16th and 17th Centuries. Sundry papers relating to Great Yarmouth. 8. 1630 to 1664. Lists of ships of the Cinque Ports, with names of masters, numbers of crew and tonnage of ships, that went to Great Yarmouth for the herring fishing. 9. 1634. June 16. Patent under the Great Seal of Charles I., inspecting the charter of James I., to the Towns and Ports, and to the barons and inhabitants, mayors, jurats and commonalty of the same, confirming to them all such privileges as were granted by the charters of Edward the Confessor, William I., William IL, Edward I., Edward III., Henry VI., Edward IV., Henry VII., Henry VIII. and Elizabeth. Portion of Great Seal only remaining, attached by a crimson cord. 10. 1612 to 1690. Seven Great Rolls of Bailiffs' Accounts for Fines, as follows : [8, 9] 10, 11. James I. Kent. 4 James II. Kent. 1 William and Mary. Sussex. 1 William and Mary. Kent. 2 William and Mary. Sussex. 3 William and Mary. Sussex. 3 William and Mary. Kent. 11. 1688 to 1805. Sheriffs' Accounts of Fines and issues, seventeen rolls, as follows : " In the claim of the Liberty of the Barons and goodmen of the Cinque Ports in the said Counties " 4 James II. Kent. 1 William and Mary. Sussex. NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 25 2 Wilham and Mary. Sussex. 2 William and Mary. Kent. 3 William and Mary. Sussex. 3 William and Mary. Kent. 4 William and Mary. Kent. 1 George III. Kent. 2 George III. Kent. 3 George III. Kent. 4 George III. Kent. 5 George III. Kent. 6 George III. Kent. 7 George III. Kent. 8 George III. Kent. 9 George III. Kent. 46 George III. Kent. 12. 17th Century. Parcel of various original and copies of letters to the Lord Warden and others. Many interesting. 13a. 1612 to 1812. An oak box containing commissions from the various Ports to their officers, chosen to represent them at the Guestlings. 13b. 1828 and 1857. A parcel of similar documents. 14. 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. Parcel of Circular Letters concerning the Brotherhood and Guestling. 15. 1688 to 1771. Copies of Proceedings of the Brotherhood and Guestling. Small packet. 16. 1677. August 16th. Lydd. An assessment towards building 30 ships of war. Giving names of landlords and tenants. 17. 16th and 17th Centuries. Parcel of sundry accounts. 18. 1632 to 1641. Minutes of Guestlings. Thin foolscap volume in brown paper cover. [This book was found at Lydd and returned to New Romney in June, 1885.] 19. 17th and 18th Centuries. Petitions to the Brotherhood and Guestling. 20. 1621 to 1629. Portion of an Assembly Book of the Brotherhood and Guestling. 2 6 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 21. 1647 to 1654. " A particular of the charges disbursed since the last Brotherhood and Guestling," in the causes concerning Stonar in Sandwich and Sir Henry Crispe. A thin foolscap book. 22. 1857 to 1902. Bound copies of the minutes of the Courts of Brotherhood and Guestling. 23. 1573. September 16. Agreement between Sir William Brook, Lord Cobham, Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports of the one part, and the mayors, bailiffs, jurats and other barons of the other part, whereby sundry controversies between the parties, concerning the Court of Admiralty and other matters, are settled. Signatures of representatives of the ports and towns. Of the seals, a part of that of Rye only remams. 24. Temp. Henry VIII. Certificate and instructions given by the King to his Commissioners to visit all his subjects from the age of 16 mete and able for the wars. 25. 1693 to 1709. Papers concerning the installations of Henry, Viscount Sydney and the Earl of Dorset as Lords Warden at Dover. 26. Temp. Charles I. Orders to Muster Masters, etc. 27. 1892 to 1901. Bound copy of account of Installation of Lord Dufferin (1892), Lord Salisbury (1896), and Lord Curzon (1904), and Report of proceedings of Barons of Cinque Ports, etc., on the Coronation of King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra, by Sir Wollaston Knocker, C.B., Solicitor to the Ports. 28. 1660 to 1760. Papers relating to the Coronations of Charles II., James IL, George II., and George III. 29. 1796 to 1828. Sessions, Fines and other accounts. 30. 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. Orders of the Privy Council, Petitions and sundry papers. 31. 17th Century. Sundry legal documents. 32. Table Book of the Cinque Ports, containing indexes of the Great White and Black Books of the Ports. Mr. H. B. Walker. London, 1905. Presented, 1930. (l-aaKmva s.KaoravAi. CLHOT; aH£ UJI ^-Q £ zD Lnru : D D „ sv n aor a 'ovum isoa; ECHONIO //i!!!MJ « " • * =o LunJ I"I' l"'l aa 13 11,1111 "1 ' r i 1 nmm f T l T l 9NH r-r-i Fn • E D ' r n 2 8 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. V RELATIONS OF THE CINQUE PORTS' BAILIFFS TO YARMOUTH. As probably the manner in which the Ports' Bailiffs told their story is httle known, the fohowing typical extracts from various relations may be of interest. First the Bailiffs' arrival is described. " Upon thursdaie, at night, being the xxvijth daie of September, in the year aforesaid, wee lodged at Laystoff, and there dyned; on the next daie, being fridaie, at about three of the clock in the afternoone, we came to the town of Great Yarmouth, and at our cominge to the Bridge, many people beinge there assembled, did bidd us verie kindly wellcome." (1603.) They bring with them their " learned counsel " (usually the Town Clerk of one of the Ports), and four officers : One " Sergeant at Banner." One officer " to winde the Brasen home of saylence." Two " sergeants at Rodde." After settling down in their " appoynted lodginge," they were usually invited to dine with the Yarmouth Bailiffs, but occasionally refused. " And soe wee passed to our lodginge . . . where after we had stayed about one howre, there came a sergeant unto us, sent from Mr. Bailiff to request us to supper that night with hyme, to whome wee answered (with thanckes) that forasmuch as wee were verie wett with rydinge, wee desyred pardon for that tyme, and soe the messenger, tasting of our beere, departed." (1585.) The beer the Cinque Port Bailiffs brought with them to Yarmouth on each occasion appears to have been much appreciated by those who were fortunate enough to be invited to taste it. Their first duty, the day fohowing their arrival, was to proceed to the Toll House to deliver their Commissions, and to take their seats in the Court Room. NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 29 In nearly every relation (especially that of 1588), this seating question is a great source of friction, as the Yarmouth Bailiffs tried always to take the centre places, excluding the Portsmen from sitting under the Royal Arms, and allowing them room only at the side. In the diary of 1614, " equal places under the cloth wherein the Kinge's armes are wrought " are demanded by our Bailiffs, to whom Mr. Greenewood replyes " that our places were under the papers which are there fastened to the wah, and if wee would have a cloth, wee should bring one of our own, and then noe man would disturb us, for this cloth there is noe man here can tell how it came hither better than myselfe. I will tell ye how. A gentleman (a frend of myne), and one that late belongeth to the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memory (beinge one of the groomes of the stable), gave me this cloth which indeed was a sumptier cloth, and used to that purpose, which cloth when I had, I gave it to this towne, and they placed it in this place, where ever synce it hath hanged, at which wordes many of the Aldermen tooke great exception, and esteemed him very unwise to deliver such speeches in that place, thinking it to be some disparagement and disgrace unto theire towne, that the cloth which they used for an ensign of Justice should be a cloth that has been used to such a purpose, as though theire towne were soe poore that they were not able to buy them a new cloth, and they thought it was a great disgrace unto them. Notwithstanding, we said to whatsoever use it was put, before it was hanged there, yet now it was in that place the badge and cognizance of Justice, and therefore desired to have our places under it, but we could not prevayle." A few years later, relations became even more strained, when a Yarmouth Bailiff, " a man of turbulent spirit, minding to affront, disgrace and provoke the Cinque Port Bailiffs, did actually keep them outside the barre of the Tolhouse, setting his foote across the entrance." Prisoners awaiting trial next demanded their attention. 3 0 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. " Then wee demaunded the vewe of the prysoners in the Gaole, and to examine the cause of their commitment; and the Bailiffs of Yarmouth caused John Yonges, keeper of the said Gaole, to bring before us the prysoners, whose names f oUowe, viz :— Ales Farlowe, convicted for felony, and repryved in pryson. John Howes, suspected for a Rape. Ales Moore, suspected of witchcraft. Wee demaunded vewe of other prisoners, detayned for debt; but the said Bailiffs of Yarmouth denyed us to have sight of them . . . and contynewed their resolute denyall that wee should view them, but told us that wee might hang a locke to the pryson doore, if wee wold." (1603.) In 1609, however, view of the prisoners was stayed until later in their visit, the Bailiffs of Yarmouth giving as a reason, " the greate concourse of people that were there, and the greate danger might ensue by meanes of the infection, besides their dinner was reddy and wold spoill." The first Sunday after their arrival, Church was attended, when similar seating questions arose. In 1588, seats next the Yarmouth Bailiffs were offered, but refused. " ' Por,' said Baylife Lake, ' I am loth the lyke discurtesie should be offered me agayne in pullinge me back by the gowne goeinge out of the church.' And soe for all theire entreatye we went forward, and toke our places nere the pulpitte, where we found an anciente man, whoe verye curteuslye gave us rome, and would have avoyded the seat, but that we badd him sitt still where he satte, at the farther end thereof if he wolde." After church, the ceremony of the reading of the proclamation of the Free Fair was held, not always without difficulties—admirably detailed in the relation of 1612. " Upon Sunday beyng the iiiit h of October, in the morninge, about the usual hour, wee went to Church, and tooke our places next unto the Baylifs of Yarmouth ; and after the Sermon, the said Baylifs of Yarmouth, after their accustomed manner, pressed out of the Church before us. NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 31 And we being attended by oure twoe Sergents, carrying their white rods before us, came unto the usual place uppon the green, without of the Church gate wher our first proclamation is comonly made. And at our comyng thether, wee found our said Clerk on horseback together with our Sergents at Banner and brazen home ; and wee pressed neare them, intending to take ye place that of right belongeth unto us, to stand on the right hand of the said Bayhffs of Yarmouth ; M M BMMalna M m 4 St atoni » I \Krez sevmdL tyitues sounJciJ t I i rlu tfing WUt»*s» ©a^lifciss a*A,. Kk ujUcei of Hie Iyc wK* of OUC ILLUMINATED HEADING pv FXBST MEMBBANE 03? CINQUE POET BAILIFFS' PBOOLAMATION AT THE YABMOUTH FBEE FAIB. and although the Aldermen of the said towne stood decently together upon the Causeway leading from the said Church, yet the said 2 Baylifs of Yarmouth traversed that ground in very unsemeley manner to put us on the left hand of them. We told them yt was our chardge to see the proclamation, and they were not bound of necessity to be there except they wold. Then Mr. Baihffe Greenewood with a great loke, like himself, sayd ' make your proclamation, eles wee will tak another cours with you.' We told him agayn in as 32 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. peremptory manner 'that we feared not his threats.' But, after much removing by theym, at last our said Clerk and other officers, so bestirred them on horseback, that we got the upper hand of them, viz wee were opposite against them, with our faces towards the Towne and they directly with their faces towards the Church, and our officers on horseback next unto us, and during the tyme of the proclamation the said Mr. Bayley Greenewood for the most parte layde his hand uppon the hinder part of the back of our said clerk his gelding, which was very unseemly to ye beholders." Mr. Bayley Greenewood evidently had no love for the Portsmen, and when they departed he took his leave of them " after his accustomed prowde manner, and desired us to know him hereafter, when wee should see him, and he wold do the hke to us." For the next ten days or so until their departure their time was occupied in the Court House dealing with offences against the peace, such as assaults, robberies and even, as the fohowing extract shows, matrimonial matters. A certain " Xptofer Marshall and Jane his wief " are brought before them " suspected for sundry misdemenours " " as vagrants" and committed to pryson " for that it was very, suspicious that they never were lawfully married." The next day they were brought up again " and were severally examyned before us ; and it was then apparent that the said Xptofer had stolen certen lincks, to the value of vid. which he confessed, and yt was approved that at the tyme he was apprehended, he did assult the officer; for which offences he was openly before us well whipped, and being urged to confess truhe whether the said Jane was his lawfull wief or not, he would not by any means confesse the contrary. And the said Jane being also brought to the barre, redy to be whipped, would not otherwise confesse but that she was lawfully marryed to him." In the end the couple were sent away " by passport from officer to officer the direct way " to their own towne of Cleethorpe. (1603.) NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 33 " John Moore, a poore fellow of Yarmouth, charged one John Valentyne, a vagrant souldyer, with the steahng of a ring, a groat, and a penny from him. And that he brought out of the country a cuple of pigges and had them rosted and eaten at wicked Wills house in Yarmouth—but for that the same accusations could not sufficiently be proved, the souldyer was only banished the towne, at his further perill." "At this court was eftsoones brought before us Anne Smyth (affirming herself to be the wife of Leonard Adams) who notwithstanding she and her husband were formerly comaunded to voyd the towne, was now againe taken and ymprisoned lately, and was charged againe with lyke suspicon of hght carriage, and behaviour, and many lewd pranckes and small pickeyes. And upon paine of severe punishment, comaunded to avoyde the towne." (1608.) Offences against the " charge " of the Free Fayre were also dealt with, weights of bread checked, inns and tipphng houses searched, though as may be seen from the fohowing extract, justice was occasionally under suitable circumstances tempered with mercy. " Uppon the same daye, the comon Crier of the Towne, cried oysters to be sold without our consent, for which we reprehended him, and sent to the partie that made sale thereof, that he might not lawfully doe yt without our consent, who, thereuppon sent unto us a peck of the said oysters for a tast, and prayed our allowance to sell the residue : to which wee assented." (1603.) After the onerous duty of inspecting the ale houses, suitable refreshment was usually offered. "After search being made, Mr. Baylife Hardware in kinde sorte bestowed on us at least a gallon of sack and suger at a taverne near his dwehinge house which wee thankfully tooke at his handes." (1612.) At the joint sittings in Court sometimes more important matters were discussed. In 1585 instructions were received from Lord Howard of Effingham, as shown by this hitherto unpublished extract. 7 34 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. " The same daie, a letter was shewed unto our Baylyffes by the Bayliffes of Yermouth, and broke open by them, which letter was brought by one Mr. Luntlow from the Right Honourable the Lord Admyrah. The true coppie whereof hereunder written, ensueth, viz. " After my very harty Comendacons. Where I have written my severall letters to the Officers and Fisshermen of dyvers townes, to make contribucon accordinge to the Comon Custome heretofore used, unto two shipps and one pynace, which I have appointed these troublesome tymes to waifte and defend them from any that would otherwyse be readdy to oppress and mollest them in their travals and trade. I have thought good lykewise to request your good favour and frindly meanes at your generall metinge unto the sayd officers to further this good intentt, as well for their owne safty and quietnes, as for the reasonable requitall of the coste and charge, which they must be at in settinge out the sayd shipps. Thus comyttyng the due regard thereof to your good consideracon (not doubting of your good wylles and readdynes herein) I byd you hartely fare well. From the Court at None-such this 7 of September 1585. Your loving Frend, C. HOWARD. Considering the intent of the Dunkyrckers is to mollest and spoyle whome they maye possybly by all meanes, it is very requisit to have waifters to resist their force, and to defend the Fisshermen. Dirreccon. To my very Loving Frendes the Bayliffes of Yermouth and the Bayliffes of the Cinque Portes." Occasionally entertainments were provided for the Bailiffs outside Yarmouth, which were much appreciated. " I Bailiff Wilcocke with our Gierke and other our officers went to Sir John Wentworthes to dinner where I was most largely and respectively entertayned And after dinner Sir John Wentworth was pleased to take mee upp in his Coach to ride abroad to see his gardens, fish pondes, and banquetting houses, which weare soe curious as are almost beyond expression. In the evening Sir John Wentworth NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT RECORDS. 35 brought us homewards a mile or two, and gave us home a side of venison, wild fowle and other things for which I gave him many thanks." (1638.) " This daye Sir Wilham St. John Knight, Capten of the Kinge's Majestie's ship, and his lieutenant dyned with us, wee having musicke sounded ah the dinner tyme. Sir William did request us to accompany certayne gentlemen and gentlewomen aboorde the Kinge's shipp now lying in the roade of Yarmouth. Balife Brett went on shippborde with them, where they were verie kindly receaved with plenty of wyne, and other banketting dishes very bountifully. At theire entering a shipboorde, whilst they were on shipborde, and at their coming from thence, they xv or xvi peeces of ordnance shott off." (1610.) At the end of their stay a more amicable atmosphere usuahy prevailed, probably the Yarmouth Bailiffs were glad to see the last of the Portsmen. " Uppon fry daie, in the forenone, being the XIXt h daie of this present moneth, we provyded such cheere as conveniently we cold, for breakfast, fitt for the daie, and about VIII of the clock, the bailiffes of Yarmouth sent unto us some wine, and afterward came unto us, and did break their fast with us, and after breakfast ended, the said Bayliffes and others did very kindly take their leave of us, and wee took our leave at or neare our said lodginge." (1603.) They afterwards made their way homewards " with that convenient speed we might" and " Tooke our leaves and parted one with another to our severah homes infrendly manner as wee mett, ascribing to God our joynt and harty thanckes for His gracious providence in these our affayres and for our safe returne." (1638.) At the end of the relations, the returning Bailiffs often made useful suggestions for their successors. " Here we do noate for the advertisement of ah the Bailiffs of the Barons of the Ports that shah" succeed us, that especially they doe provyde themselves with a sufficient Clarke, that maie be able both in sufficiencye and experience 36 NEW ROMNEY AND CINQUE PORT' RECORDS. to challenge and dischardge those duties and offices which doe appertaine originalhe, or maie be to any advantage added or enlarged, which in our experience, wee have found maye be verie advantagable or hurtfuh. Next that the Bailiffs themselves doe with courage assume ah maie be to their worship and the honor of the Portes, and having a respect ever of their wearing appareh, dyett, walkinges, and such like, the neclect whereof in some before us, hath (in our hearing) not onlie caused a contempt and skorne of themselves, but also a disesteem of the Ports and such as shah succeed." (1607.) I t is interesting to note that even in those days the care of records receives attention, and sound advice is offered to the authorities in charge of the documents. " There are in the box 20 reportes of the Baylifes to Yarmouth tyed together (besydes this) and six loose in paper covering, I thought good to send them downe, because I find that synce I was there in 1622, dyverse reportes are lost, to the great prejudice of the Portes, and it is fitt for the Clarkes hereafter to be more carefuh of them." (1626.) THE BEASEN HOBNE or SAYLENOB. I THE ANCIENT BANNER OF THE CINQUE PORTS. As borne before the Bailiffs of the Ports at the Proclamation of the Free Fair at Yarmouth.