AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



priviledge : which (because they were 5. in number) both 

 at the first gave, and yet continue, to all the residue, the 

 name of Cinque Ports, although not onely Winchelsey and 

 Rie, be (since that time) incorporated with them as 

 principals, but divers other places also (for the ease of 

 their charge) be crept in, as partes, lims, and members of 

 the same. 



Now therefore, somewhat shalbe said, as touching the 

 services that these Ports of duetie owe, and in deed have 

 done, to the Princes : whereof the one (I meane with what 

 number of vessels, in what maner of furniture, and for 

 how long season, they ought to wait on the king at the 

 Sea, upon their owne charges) shall partly appeare by that 

 which we shall presently say, and partly by that which shall 

 followe in Sandwich, and Rumney : The other shall bee 

 made manifest by examples, drawne out of good histories : 

 and they both shall be testified by the words of king 

 Edward the first in his owne Chartre. 



The booke of Domesday before remembred, chargeth 

 Dover with twentie vessels at the sea, whereof eche to be 

 furnished with one and twentie men for fifteene dayes 

 together : and saith further, that Rumney and Sandwich 

 answered the like service. But now whether this (like) 

 ought to be understoode of the like altogether, both in 

 respect of the number and service, or of the (like) in 

 respect of service, according to the proportion of their 

 abilitie onely, I may not hereby take upon me to deter- 

 mine. For on the one side, if Rumney, Sandwich, and 

 the residue, should likewise finde twentie vessels a piece, 

 then (as you shall anone see) the five Ports were subject 

 to a greater charge at that time, then King Edward the 

 first layd upon them : And on the other side, if they were 

 onely chargeable after their proportion, then know I not 

 how farre to burthen them, seeing the Record of Domesday 

 it selfe, bindeth them to no certeintie. And therefore 

 leaving this as I find it, I must elsewhere make inquisition 

 for more lightsome proofe. And first I will have recourse 

 to king Edward the first his Chartre in which I read, that 



46 



