An anthology of Chancery English

1432 SC8/26/1271 Petition of the Citizens of Lymington and Newport, Hampshire

To oure souerayn Lorde the Kyng and to his right wise Counseill Lowelly and humbly bisechen
all the Marchauntȝ and pouere inhabitauntȝ of the Hauene of Lymyngton lying withyn the Hundredes of
Neweforest & of Crischurche & of the Hauene of Neweport lying withyn the Isle of Wight yn the Shire of Southampton & of
oþer Hauenes yn the same Shire that hough of tyme oute of mynde to þe grete and notable availle of oure liege
lorde and grete profit of the saide hauenes there were wont many diuerse Shippes & vesslx with grete substaunce of
merchaundises nat staple ware but other as wele with wynde dryven as of purpos to come and arryve yn to the
saide hauenes and oure liege lordes Custumes therof trewly y paied there they

haue atte all tymes be discharged &
recharged. Nowe late by diuerse yeres yt is fallen so that yn defaute that no Custumers ne noon here
deputees be attendaunt to eny of the saide hauenes. many grete Shippes and vesselx dryven and also comyng
oute of ferre contreyes yn to þe saide hauenes with grete goodes & merchaundiȝes willyng
the Marchauntȝ of hem & gretely desiryng there to haue be discharged & recharged. for lakkyng of Custumers
haue passed fro the saide hauenes & sailled yn to other straunge londes to grete losse and disavaille yerly
of right grete notable sommes to oure liege lorde grete & hidous losse abatyng and hyndryng of þe saide
hauenes & grete discomfort of the saide Marchauntȝ of the Shippes & vesselx atte here comyng Wherfore yt lyketh
vn to youre high & worthy discreciouns graciously & tendrely to considere the premisses & yn especial the grete disavaille
aforsaide of oure liege lorde And thervpon atte this tyme after youre right noble and wise avys yt pleseth youre
myghti lordshippes to ordeyne remedie atte the reuerence of god and yn way of charite Consideryng
also youre right high discreccions yif yt be to youre plesir hough the hauene of Wynchilse & oþer
hauenes vnder þe port of Chichestre yn þe Shire of Sussex the hauenes of pool & of waymouth & oþer
hauenes vnder the port of Melcombe yn Dorset Shire & all the hauenes yn þe same Shires & yn þe shires of
Devenshire Kent Cornewaill & all other shires yn þe Reame except Southampton shire aforesaide euer hiderto
haue hadde & yit haue deputees vnder the Custumers of þe portȝ for the grete availl & commodite of
oure liege lorde & of all his Reame:

[ [Printed RP IV.417.8.]]