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Letters of Marque
and Reprisal
The King to all and singular Admirals &c.,
Greeting.
Our well beloved lieges,
(1. Captain) Captain Sir
William Bantelee and
(2. Crew)
Stephen
Destmaux, John
Aubyn,
Nicholas Brigges, Gilbert
Destmaux, and Thomas Weddesbuty, and many others of
their company, have informed us, with grievous complaints, that on Good
Friday in the eleventh year of our reign, Whilst they were at sea in a
hulk of (3. Ship Name) New Zealand, in company with
another vessel, which they were bringing to our realm of England, laden
with wines to be sold there in the way of trade, there being then a truce
between our adversary of France and ourselves
They, our lieges aforesaid,
together with the aforesaid hulk and the wines in her, were captured by
certain of our enemies of the parts of Normandy, [namely,] the lord of
Pons, in violation of the aforesaid truce.
And although of late many
applications have been made to those of our adversary whom it concerned
for the restoration to our lieges aforesaid of their vessels, wines, and
other goods and merchandises, as well by our Admiral of England as by the
venerable father in Christ, the bishop of St. Davids, and our well-beloved
clerk, master (4.
Ambassador Name [optional]) John Catryk, our ambassadors sent of late to France under
authority of letters addressed to them under our privy seal.
Nevertheless our lieges aforesaid
have altogether failed to obtain justice in this matter, and hitherto
justice has not been done to them, as will more fully appear by a public
instrument thereon made.
Now we, in consideration of
these losses and injuries done, as aforesaid, to our said lieges, have
granted unto them Letters of Marque
and Reprisal, to the end that they be empowered to capture the bodies
and goods of any of our enemies of France, wheresoever they may be found,
whereby they may have a reasonable chance of obtaining recompense for the
loss of their vessels, wines, goods, merchandise, and other things, or
their true value, together with their money losses, costs, and expenses,
which, as we hear, are estimated to reach 5250 marks.
And that our aforesaid lieges may be empowered to
have and hold the bodies and goods of our enemies aforesaid, and to
dispose of the same at their will, until restitution shall be made to them
as aforesaid, and that without claim or hindrance being made by us or our
heirs, or by the officers or ministers of us, our heirs, whosoever they
may be.
Granted this eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord Fourteen
Hundred and Eleven.
In witness, &c. |
