A.D. 



I462. 

 [I. 208.] 



KING EDWARD IV.'S CHARTER 



In opposaile and cherishing the advance. 



To hardines if that not variance 



Thou hast fro trought by full experience 



Authors and reasons : if ought faile in substance 



Remit to hem that yafe thee this science ; 



That seth it is soth in verray fayth, 



That the wise Lord Baron of Hungerford 



Hath thee overseene, and verely he saith 



That thou art true, and thus hee doeth record, 



Next the Gospel : God wotte it was his worde, 



When hee thee redde all over in a night. 



Goe forth trew booke, and Christ defend thy right. 



Explicit libellus de Politia conservativa maris. 



A large Charter granted by K. Edward the 4 in 

 the second yere of his reigne, to the mar- 

 chants of England resident especially in the 

 Netherland, for their chusing of a master and 

 governor among themselves, which governe- 

 ment was first appointed unto one William 

 Obray : with expresse mention, what autho- 

 ritie he should have. 



|Dward by the grace of God king of 1462. 

 France, & of England, & lord of Ire- 

 land, to al those which shal see or heare 

 these letters, sendeth greeting, & good 

 wil. Know ye, that whereas we have 

 understood, as well by the report of our 

 loving and faithfull Counsellors, as by the 

 common complaint and report of all men, that many 

 vexations, griefs, debates, discords, annoyes, dissentions, 

 & damages, have heretofore bene done, moved, com- 

 mitted, and happened, and do daily fal out and happen 

 among the common marchants & mariners, our subjects 

 of our realmes of France & England, & our lordships of 

 Ireland and Wales, & of other our dominions, seigneuries, 



147 



The wise lord 

 of Hunger- 

 fords judge- 

 ment of this 

 booke. 



