CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION/ 



Prominence of maritime affairs in English history The meaning of 

 the term Sovereignty of the Seas Early appropriation of seas 

 Venice Genoa Denmark, Sweden, Poland Spain and Portugal 

 Reasons for appropriation Insecurity of sea in middle ages 

 Merchant associations Origin of the English claims Their nature 

 Became important under the Stuarts James I. Charles I. 

 The Commonwealth Charles II. Decay of the English preten- 

 sion to the dominion of the seas Extent of the " Sea of England " 

 and of the " British Seas "The " Narrow Seas "The " Four Seas " 

 Selden on the British Seas The territorial waters 



SECTION I. THE HISTORY OF THE CLAIMS TO 

 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEA. 



CHAPTER I. 



EARLY HISTORY. 



Alleged sea sovereignty exercised by ancient Britons, Romans, and 

 Anglo - Saxons King Edgar Canute Norman, Angevin, and 

 Plantagenet kings The Channel or Narrow Sea The safeguarding 

 of the sea Admiralty jurisdiction Impressment of ships 

 Liberty of navigation and fishing The question of tribute 

 English kings as lords of the sea King John's ordinance as to 

 lowering sail to a royal ship The sovereign lordship in the so- 

 called Sea of England The roll De Superioritate Maris Anglice 

 Complaint against Reyner Grimbald Nature of jurisdiction 

 exercised in Sea of England . . . . .25 



I 



