172 BRIDPORT HARBOUR. 



1347 may be accepted as showing that the burgesses did not 

 then own any vessels large enough for warlike purposes. 



On a Close Roll of 43 Edward III. (1369) there is an order to 

 the Barons of the Exchequer to stay their demand upon the 

 Bailiffs of Bridport for an account concerning the forfeitures 

 of gold and silver exported thence ; the Bailiffs having shown 

 that although there was no landing of ships at the said town 

 or within five leagues thereof, nor any port, nor was there 

 ever one, they were being distrained upon to account for such 

 forfeitures as if there was a port there, as there was not. 

 The foregoing minute relates to the Act forbidding any 

 exportation of precious metals, corn, or arms, and it throws 

 an amusing light upon the change of front which the burgesses 

 thought fit to adopt on that occasion. Whatever may have 

 been the condition of their own harbour at that period, there 

 were certainly two other ports within fifteen miles as a bird 

 flies, but nevertheless the judges appear to have been satisfied 

 that the town was being hardly treated. 



THE PERIOD FROM RICHARD II. TO CHARLES II. 



We shall now be no longer entirely dependent upon the 

 records of litigation for contemporary proof as to current 

 events, and the evidence becomes more direct in character. 

 Richard II. in his second year confirmed the charter of Henry 

 III., but without adding to the town's privileges, maritime 

 or otherwise, and without declaring their nature. A few 

 years later occurs the first definite grant, as far as I am aware, 

 in connection with shipping. The Patent rolls contain four 

 references to the subject, from the first two of which it would 

 appear that the borough, being either unwilling or unable 

 to build, were content to allow a private townsman to obtain 

 the concession from the King. I have abbreviated these four 

 entries as follows : 



1385. 15 Nov. A grant to John Huderesfeld, upon his petition 

 to raise funds for the completion of a harbour at Bridport where 

 there was previously none and which he cannot finish without 



