could not admit more modern ships of war, and were deserted for the grander harbours of Portsmouth and of Plymouth .
A wooden pier was therefore carried out to sea in a south-easterly direction , admitting large vessels to lay and unload alongside. This pier about the beginning of Elizabeth's reign, was destroyed by a storm .[1]
In the Queen's patent for a new pier, we have another dismal picture of the town " much decayed , the traffic of merchants much decayed, the traffic of merchants thither forsaken, the fishing by reason of the dangerous landing but little used , the rich and wealthy men gone thence, and the poor men yet remaining would gladly do the like, if without offence to our laws they might be elsewhere received, whereby our people are likely to perish , and our said port likely to be subverted , and become desolate."[2]
Hastings, officially reported to be strongly seated, and easy to be fortified, at the time of the Spanish Armada, had 20 ships of from 12 to 42 tons: and I make no doubt that these ships, small as they were, did England good service ; for in that same year, Hastings was raised from a Bailiwick to a Corporation , by the title of the Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the town and port of Hastings.
An increase of dignity in all likelihood conferred for actual services against the dread Armada. The arms of Hastings are nearer to the ancient royal arms than those of any of the other Cinque Ports ; for on -
