THE SECOND LEVANT CHARTER a.d. 



1592. 



And further our will and pleasure is, and wee doe by 

 these presentes graunt that it shall be lawfull to and for 

 the sayd Governour and companie of Marchantes of the 

 Levant to have and use in and about the affaires of the 

 sayde companie a common seale for matters concerning 

 the sayde companie and trade. And that also it shall 

 be lawfull for the Marchants, Mariners, and Sea-men, 

 which shall be used and imployed in the sayde trade and 

 voyage to set and place in the toppes of their ships 

 or other vessels the Armes of England with the redde- 

 crosse in white over the same as heretofore they have 

 used. 



And we of our further Royall favour and of our 

 especiall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion 

 have graunted and by these presents for us our heyres 

 and successors doe graunt to the sayd Governour and 

 companie of Marchants of the Levant, that the sayde 

 landes, territories, and dominions of the sayde Grand 

 Signor, or the dominions of the Signiorie of Venice, or 

 any of them within the sayde Levant or Mediterran 

 seas shall not be visited, frequented, or haunted by the 

 sayde Levant sea by way of marchandize by any other' 

 our subjects during the saide terme of twelve yeeres 

 contrarie to the true meaning of these presentes. And 

 by vertue of our prerogative Royall, which wee will 

 not in that behalfe have argued or brought in question, 

 wee straightly charge, commaunde and prohibite for us, 

 our heyres and successours all our subjects of what 

 degree or qualitie soever they bee, that none of them 

 directly or indirectly doe visite, haunt, frequent, trade, 

 traffike or adventure by way of marchandise into or 

 from any of the sayd dominions of the sayd Grand 

 Signor, or the dominions of the saide Segniorie of 

 Venice, by or through the sayde Levant sea other then 

 the sayd Governour and companie of marchants of the 

 Levant, and such particular persons as be or shall be 

 of that companie, their factors, agents, servants and 

 assignes. And further for that wee plainely understande 



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