years ; for the battle of Damme or Sluys, three years before, was simply a surprise of the French fleet, the greater part of which was captured without resistance , in a harbour in which there was no room for manoeuvring, and the fighting principally took place on land ; and although we may be sure the Cinque Ports did their devoir, yet they
are not particularly named as taking part in it.
If we turn to the seal of Hastings, we shall be able to narrow the limits within which the distinction was granted , to a period corresponding to the reign of Henry III. ; and shall find all the accessories in harmony with the view that Hastings won her honours under De Burgh. We see in the seals of all the ports figures of ships of war; but on our own seal, we have an unique picture of a naval engagement, one ship ramming another, and cutting her in two, " tilting at her with her iron beak," the very manoeuvre recorded in the description of the fight. Besides the standard of the town, the English ship has the royal standard with its three lions, shewing that the seal itself must, have been executed prior to 1340. The ships which are exactly alike, are of a style intermediate to the Conquest, and the Edwardian era. They have towers in the stern , which those in the Bayeux Tapestry have not but they have no forecastles, such as we see depicted in those of Edward III.'s reign . Mr. LOWER points out that the legend " Sigillum commune Baronum De Hastings is," is in Gothic characters of the 13th century; and that on the reverse side of the seal, the figure of St. Michael holds
