summoning of these Courts is thus : the Town that is Speaker, sends a letter at the beginning of its Speakership, to the other Ports and ancient Towns, to know their opinion, whether a Brotherhood and Guestling be necessary to be assessed that year (upon the back of which every of them indorse their answer) in such or the like Form as followeth :
"Right Worshipful Sirs,
"Loving Brethren, Combarons, and Friends, our right hearty affections and salutations to you presented . Whereas by septennary revolution, the Speakership of the Ports isnow devolved upon us, we have thought meet to issue forth these our timely letters to you, whereby we pray and brotherly require your Advice and Subscriptions, whether, as our Affairsnow stand, a Brotherhood or Guestling, or either of them , is necessary to be arreared this year. We, for our parts, considering the state of our affairs, are of opinion and think fit, that both a Brotherhood and Guestling be summoned to meet at the Town and Port of New Romney in the County of Kent, on the Tuesday after the feast of St. Margaret next ensuing, at the hour accustomed : nevertheless, we sub mit to your grave wisdoms and determinations in these Premises. And so we commit you to God, and rest
From Hasting, under the seal of office of Mayoralty these the first day of June 1653.
Your loving Brethren , Combarons, and Friends, the Mayor and Jurats of the Town and Port of Hasting, Speaker."
"Upon this, if by four or more of these Seven Ports and Towns, one or both is thought fit to be holden , then 40 days before the day of meeting, the letters of summons go forth, directed, as the former, to the Mayor and Jurats only of the said Ports and ancient Towns, if for the Brotherhood ; and if for a Guestling also, then to the Mayors, Bailiffs, and Jurats of them and their Members, with the like. Title of Right Worshipful Sirs, &c.' to this effect.
"That forasmuch as by the greater part of the Brethren of the Cinque Ports andancient Towns it is concluded, that -
