48 



And in 1585 said Bishop petitioned the 

 Queen (Elizabeth) against the same locks, 

 weirs, &c. 



The persons complained of showed cause for 

 maintaining them, that they were as of great 

 antiquity as the towns and villages whereto 

 they joined ; that they were of necessity for 

 the passage of barges. 



That the mills, locks, and weirs, were for the 

 most part the Queen's inheritance. (Records 

 of Star Chamber Proceedings.) 



By Statute of 23d Eliz. c. 5. touching iron 

 mills near London and the River Thames, " no 

 person shall convert to coal for making iron, 

 any wood growing within 22 miles of the River 

 Thames from Dorchester downwards." 



See also the Statute of 1st Eliz. c. 15. to 

 nearly the same effect, only extending its pro- 

 visions to timber growing within 14 miles of 

 the sea, or any part of the Rivers Thames, Se- 

 vern, Wye, Humber, &e. &c. or any other river by 

 which carriage is commonly used by boat, or other 

 vessel, to any part of the sea. 



