The Cinque Port Privileges
Royal Charter 1668
Fishing Boat - Great Yarmouth
The privileges obtained by the Cinque Ports were set down in a series of Royal Charters — the last one granted by Charles II in 1668, can be seen in the Guildhall, Sandwich.
1. Exemption from Tax and Tali.
2. Right to levy tolls.
3. Right to local self-government.
4. Authority to compel holders of stolen goods to divulge their source.
5. Authority to punish shedders of blood and seize those who fled from justice.
6. Authority to punish minor offences.
7. Power to detain and execute felons both inside and outside the Ports jurisdiction.
8. Authority to try breeches of the King's Peace.
9. Right to take lost or unclaimed goods after one year and one day.
10. Power to claim floating wreckage on the shore or goods thrown overboard.
11. Right to land at Great Yarmouth - a fishing port on the east coast - and to dry and mend nets and sell fish.
Information from the Sandwich History Society publications & archives - Gt. Yarmouth photo on this page from www.geograph.org.uk - copyright Pierre Terre under the Creative Commons Licens
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