66 THE SILVERY HOSTS OF THE NORTH SEA. 



structed that in the time of King Edward III. naviga- 

 tion became so dangerous "that few ships of burthen 

 could safely enter in, or go out." 



This put a stop to the trade of the town, and the 

 people petitioned the king for liberty to cut a haven 

 nearer the town, opposite to Gorton, which was granted 

 them; but after considerable expense this only served 

 them twenty-six years. The sea got the better of 

 both people and river. Another petition was made 

 to King Richard II. to cut a haven still nearer the 

 town, and permission was given, as was also the right 

 to levy I2d. for five years upon every last of herrings, 

 brought into the town. Sixteen years later, A.D. 

 1408, this haven was rendered useless from the same 

 causes, and again resort was had to petition to 

 Henry IV., who granted the request, and bountifully 

 contributed, out of the customs taken at Yarmouth, 

 the sum of ;ioo per year for five years towards the 

 expenses, which sum was only received in part. This 

 haven was maintained successfully, but at great ex- 

 pense, for 100 years ; by which time the charges were 

 found to be insupportable. Some little help was 

 given by a remittance of " fifty marks parcel of their 

 fee-farm for the term of six years." Afterwards some 

 further help was given of a like character, as the town 

 had lost very much of its trade. In 1508 the people 

 petitioned King Henry VII. for liberty to cut out the 

 mouth of the haven much nearer unto the town than 

 the former. " This, with their own labour and ex- 

 pense, they maintained for twenty years, when, for a 

 fifth time, they became suitors for liberty to cut out 



