At the close of the church service the assembly returned to the Town Hall to transact the business of the day. This having been done, the following quaint Proclamation was made by the Senechal :-
" My Lord Warden, and all Mayors, Barons, Combarons, Jurats, ladies, and all others who have been bidden by the Right Worshipful the Speaker, and that be now here present, are warned to hie yourselves to the Masonic Hall, St. Leonards-on-Sea by 1.30 of the clock, and there partake of such refreshment and repast as be provided and ordained for your comfort and solace. God Save the King ! The Cinque Ports ! and Two Ancient Towns ! "
The important privileges granted to the Cinque Ports in return for their help in providing ships and men in times of need are set out in the Customal (or, in other words, the Old Laws and Customs of Hastings.) These may be found in the Public Library on application to the Librarian.
One of the most coveted privileges of the Barons was the right to attend the Coronation of the Kings and Queens. (See "Hastings of Bygone Days.")
List of Coronations and Names of the Barons who attended.
| RICHARD III. | |
| Henry Hall | Henry Bencour |
| John Philpot | John Edridge |
| JAMES I. | |
| Richard Lyfe | _ Mawe |
| Martin Lyfe | James Lasher |
| Richard Ellys, Junr. | |
| JAMES II. | |
| Sir Denny Ashburnham | John Ashburnham |
| Thomas Munn | Benjamin Bathurst, Kt. |
| Richard Watts | William Hollands |
| (Cole, p. 179, gives Capt. Ed. Milward in place of Bathurst.) | |
| WILLIAM AND MARY. | |
| John Ashburnham | Thomas Munn |
| John Munn | |
| ANNE. | |
| Hon. W. Ashburnham | John Poultney |
| William Ashburnham. | |
