40 



The Statute of 27th.' Henry VIII. c. 

 18. recites, that " Whereas before this 

 time, the River Thames' among all other rivers 

 within this realm hath been accepted and 

 taken, and is indeed the 'iiost commodious 

 and profitable to all the King's liege people, 

 and chiefly of all others frequented and used, as 

 well by the King's Highness, his estates, and 

 nobles, merchants, and others, repairing to the 

 city of London and other places, shires, and 

 counties adjoining the same, which River of 

 Thames is, and hath been, most meet and 

 convenient of all others, for the safeguard 

 and ordering of the King's navy, conveyance 

 of merchandises and other necessaries, to and 

 for the King's household, and otherwise, to the 

 great relief and comfort of all persons within 

 the realm, 'till now of late years divers evil 

 minded persons create obstructions" The 

 above statute directs that no such obstructions 

 shall be made in future. 



The Statute of 1st. Hen. IV. The Commons 

 prayed " that no barge on the River Thames 

 should be forfeited as a deodand ;'' and it 

 was answered "to be as heretofore." Records 

 in the Tower. Cotton's Abridg. 398. 



D 



