BRIDPORT HARBOUR. 169 



9 and 10 Edward I. (1280-1) against Bridport men for taking 

 wreck of the sea from the foreshore within the manor. This 

 right to take wreck had been the subject of grants to the 

 abbey by more than one King, and the license was probably 

 of considerable value in those days. Any portion of a vessel 

 or its cargo thrown upon the beach was liable to seizure by 

 the grantee, provided that neither man nor dog nor cat 

 had escaped alive from the derelict. The pleas advanced 

 during the progress of the suit can be allowed to speak for 

 themselves : 



The abbot attaches the defendants for taking by force of arms 

 and illtreatrnent certain goods and chattels which were wreck of 

 the sea within his manor of Symondesbergh, viz., ship's wood- 

 work, planks, and ironwork of wrecks. The defendants 

 Richard de Ramesham Roger Hux 



Nicholas de Prickepeny John Kych 



John le Ferur John Ouky 



John de Ramesham John de Marisco 



Robert Corbyn Richard de Casteleyn 



Richard Blaunchard Henry Pancok 



William Pothyn John Puckeye 



Roger Rothom Edward de Brideport 



come and say that they never took wreck from the complainant's 

 manor, and that if anything was taken it lay within the fief (foedus) 

 of Bridport and not on the lands of the manor. The abbot replies 

 that the chattels were seized outside the liberty and power of 

 Bridport. Afterwards an inquisition was held at Shaston in 

 11 Edward I., when it was adjudged that the abbot should 

 recover ten pounds as damages from Richard and the others. 

 Coram rege roll 65, m. 8, dors. 



Richard Blaunchard, one of the above trespassers, is the 

 earliest known instance of a ship owner in the town, his boat 

 having been impounded at Plympton in 1277 to enforce a 

 trading custom. (Hist. MSS. Com. 6th Rep.) 



It may be asked, what has this question of wreckage to 

 do with the history of the port ? I would say in reply that 

 the invasion of the territory of the monks of Cerne was doubt- 

 less incidental to the attempts to carry on the business of 

 the haven in the estuary and to collect the tolls ; one or more 



