Shepway, and were not determined. Of the new Pleas of the Crown which have happened within the liberty in the time of Peace, after the Justices last journeyed at Shepway. Of those which were amerced, &c. Of Churches ; of Assise ; of Cloth ; of Escheats, &c. Of those which have robbed by Land or Water after Peace proclaimed . Of Purpresture[1] and Measures ; of Wines sold, &c.; of Treasure, &c.; of the Chattels of the French, &c.; of Flewers ;[2] of Burghers, &c.; of Merchants, &c.; of Exchange, &c.; of Fugitives, &c.; of Wages, &c.; of new Customs, &c.; of Default of Goods, &c.[3]; of Rapines, &c.; of Ships taken in War, and delivered, and who hath them, and what is done with them ; and of those which have sold Ships,
or Timber to build Ships, to the Enemies of our now Lord the King. That ye make to come before the same our Justices, at the term aforesaid , all Pleas and all Attachments which ought and were wont to come, and be determined before the Justices holding Pleas at Shepway ."
Besides the before-mentioned Court of Shepway, the Warden holds a court of chancery, or equity , as chancellor ; and a court of admiralty, as admiral of the Cinque Ports[4] thus exercising at once a civil and military authority and jurisdiction.
There is again another court of an inferior sort, called Guestling or Brotherhood, which is held annually on the Tuesday after St. Margarets, at New Romney, to consult about such things as concern the common good of the Ports. Here they used to choose two bailiffs, whom they sent to Yarmouth, during the free fair at that place, for the purpose of protecting the fishermen of the west and north ; and that all the King's subjects might freely buy herrings for their use or merchandize, without which care, -
