CHAPTER V. 



CHARLES I.; DOMINIUM SIARIS. 



The work of the Association in the Western Islands of 

 Scotland had been hampered, sometimes by the studied 

 apath}^ of the northern native fishermen, but more often 

 by their active opposition ; far more serious difficulties, 

 however, had been encountered in the North Sea, where 

 the Dutch resented any intrusion upon fishings which they 

 considered long usage had made their own. From the very 

 beginnmg of the work of the Association, it had been reahsed 

 that trouble might be expected from the Dutch, especially 

 since the Hollanders were accompanied at all times by some 

 war vessels, and might therefore consider themselves strong 

 enough to enforce their demands. This convoy of men 

 of war always sailed with the Dutch fishing fleet in order 

 to protect it from the attacks of the pirates from Dunkirk 

 and Ostend, who, at this period, were particularly active in 

 the North Sea and Enghsh Channel. ^ The EngHsh fishing 

 vessels, as a protection from these same pirates, and also 

 in order that they might be able to resist any attempt 

 at interference on the part of their rivals, carried an arma- 

 ment of " Half Pikes and Muskets," " Physic and Surgery 

 Helps " being also supphed. The equipment of the English 

 fishing vessel in this respect is detailed as follows in " Bri- 

 taines Busse." ^ 



1 Beaujon's Essay, chapter i. pp. 67, 77. 



-" Britaines Busse," by E. S. London (Nicholas Bourne, 1615). Re- 

 printed in The English Garner, 1880, vol. iii. pp. 621, 656. 



E 



