sell openly in any corporation or privileged place, without being bound to the use of brokers or other freemen of such place; empowers their fishermen to land on the quay at Great Yarmouth, deliver their herrings freely all the fishing season, and to mend and dry their nets upon marsh-lands there, yet called the Dennes, (from the word dent used in the charter, signifying to mend and dry nets), for which purpose, the ports formerly sent certain men as their bailiffs, to superintend and decide all differences that might arise during the herring season. But the fishing trade increasing, and becoming profitable, and the town of Great Yarmouth increasing so as to procure a government by a portrieve, or bailiff, (which it had in the time of Edward I.) frequent disputes arose between the portrieve and the ports bailiffs:- the former, being jealous of the privileges the latter possessed, endeavoured to curtail them, so that the ports were often obliged to complain to their Sovereigns for redress; notwithstanding which, they were some times sufferers by the outrage and violence of the people and their head officers. In one -
Page:The Hastings Guide.pdf/25
From Historical Hastings
This page has been proofread