CHAPTER V. 
CHARLES I.; DOMINIUM MARIS. 
THE work of the Association in the Western Islands of 
Scotland had been hampered, sometimes by the studied 
apathy 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 
beginning of the work of the Association, it had been realised 
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 English Channel.1_ The English 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 supplied. The equipment of the English 
fishing vessel in this respect is detailed as follows in “ Bri- 
taines Busse.” 2 
1 Beaujon’s Essay, chapter i. pp. 67, 77. 
2 « Britaines Busse,” by E. S. London (Nicholas Bourne, 1615). Re- 
printed in The English Garner, 1880, vol. iii. pp. 621, 656. 
E 
