certaine knowledge haue graunted, and by these presents for vs our heyres
and successours doe graunt vnto the said Gouernours and companie of
marchantes of the Leuant, that they and such onely as be and shall be of
that companie, shall for the sayd terme of twelue yeeres haue, vse, and
enioy the whole and onely trade and traffike, and the whole entire and
onely libertie, vse, and priuilege of trading and traffiking, and vsing
feate of marchandise by and through the Leuant seas otherwise called the
Mediterran seas into and from the sayd dominions of the Grand Signor, and
dominions of the state of Venice; and by and through the sayd Grand Signors
dominions to and from such other places in the East Indies discouered as
aforesayd. And that they the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of
the Leuant and euery particular and seuerall person of that companie their
and euery one of their servants, factors, and deputies shall haue full and
free authoritie, libertie, facultie, licence, and power to trade and
trafficke by and through the sayde Leuant seas into and from all and euery
the sayd dominions of the sayde Grand Signor, and the dominions of the
state of Venice, and the sayde Indies, and into and from all places where
by occasion of the sayd trade they shall happen to arriue or come, whither
they be Christians, Turkes, Gentiles, or others: And by and through the
sayd Leuant seas into and from all other seas, riuers, portes, regions,
territories, dominions, coastes and places with their ships, barkes,
pinases and other vessels, and with such mariners and men as they will
leade or haue with them, or sende for the sayde trade as they shall thinke
good at their owne costes and expenses.
And for that the shippes sayling into the sayde Countreyes must take their
due and proper times to proceede in these voyages, which otherwise as we
well perceiue cannot be performed in the rest of the yeere following:
Therefore we of our speciall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion,
for vs, our heyres and successors doe graunt to and with the sayd Gouernour
and companie of Marchantes of the Leuant, that foure good shippes well
furnished with ordinance and other munition for their defence, and two
hundred mariners English men to guide and sayle in the same four shippes at
all times during the sayde twelue yeeres shall quietly bee permitted and
suffered to depart and goe in the sayde voyages, according to the purport
of these presents, without any stay or contradiction by vs, our heyres and
successors, or by the Lorde high Admirall or any other officer or subject
of vs, our heires or successours in any wise: Any restraint, lawe, statute,
vsage or matter whatsoeuer to the contrarie notwithstanding.
Prouided neuerthelesse, that if wee shall at any time within the sayde
twelue yeeres haue iust cause to arme our Nauie in warrelike manner in
defence of our Realme, or for offence of our enemies: and that it shall be
founde needefull and conuenient for vs to ioyne to our Nauie the shippes of
our subjects to be also armed for warres to such number as cannot bee
supplied if the sayd foure shippes should be permitted to depart as aboue
is mentioned; then vpon knowledge giuen by vs or our Admirall to the sayde
Gouernour or companie about the fifteenth day of the moneth of March, or
three moneths before the saide companie shall beginne to make readie the
same foure shippes that we may not spare the sayd foure ships and the
marriners requisite for them to be out of our Realme during the time that
our Nauie shal be vpon the seas, that then the sayde companie shall
forbeare to send such foure shippes for their trade of marchandise vntill
that we shall retake our sayd Nauie from the sayd service.
And further our will and pleasure is, and wee doe by these presentes graunt
that it shall be lawfull to and for the sayd Gouernour and companie of
Marchantes of the Leuant to haue and vse in and about the affaires of the
sayde companie a common seale for matters concerning the sayde companie and
trade. And that also it shall be lawfull for the Marchants, Mariners, and
Sea men, which shall be vsed and imployed in the sayde trade and voyage to
set and place in the toppes of their ships or other vessels the Armes of
England with the redde-crosse in white ouer the same as heretofore they
haue vsed.
And we of our further Royall fauour and of our especiall grace, certaine
knowledge, and meere motion haue graunted and by these presents for vs, our
heyres and successors doe graunt to the sayd Gouernour and companie of
Marchants of the Leuant, that the sayde landes, territories, and dominions
of the sayde Grand Signor, or the dominions of the Signiorie of Venice, or
any of them within the sayde Leuant or Mediterran seas shall not be
visited, frequented, or haunted by the sayde Leuant sea by way of
marchandize by any other our subiects during the saide terme of twelue
yeeres contrarie to the true meaning of these presentes. And by vertue of
our prerogatiue Royall, which wee will not in that behalfe haue argued or
brought in question, wee straightly charge, commaunde and prohibite for vs,
our heyres and successours all our subiects of what degree or qualitie
soeuer they bee, that none of them directly or indirectly doe visite,
haunt, frequent, trade, traffike or aduenture by way of marchandise into or
from any of the sayd dominions of the sayd Grand Signor, or the dominions
of the saide Segniorie of Venice, by or through the sayde Leuant sea other
then the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of the Leuant, and such
particular persons as be or shall be of that companie, their factors,
agents, seruants and assignes. And further for that wee plainely
vnderstande that the States and Gouerours of the citie and Segniorie of
Venice haue of late time set and raysed a newe impost and charge ouer and
besides their auncient impost, custome, and charge of and vpon all manner
of marchandize of our Realme brought into their dominions, and also of and
vpon all marchandise caried or laden from their sayd Countrey or dominions
by our subiectes or in the ships or bottoms of any of our subiectes to the
great and intollerable charge and hinderance of our sayd subiects trading
thither, wee therefore minding the redresse thereof, doe also by these
presents for vs, our heires and successors further straightly prohibite and
forbid not onely the subiects of the sayde State and Segniorie of Venice,
but also of all other Nations or Countries whatsoeuer other then the sayd
Gouernour and companie of marchants of the Leuant, and such onely as be or
shall be of that companie, their factors, agents, seruantes, and assignes:
That they or any of them during the sayde terme of twelue yeeres, shall
bring or cause to be brought into this our Realme of Englande, or any part
thereof anie manner of small fruites called corrants, being the raysins of
Corinth, or wine of Candie, vnlesse it be by and with the licence, consent,
and agreement of the sayde Gouernour and companie in writing vnder their
sayd common seale first had and obteyned vpon paine vnto euery such person
and persons that shall trade and traffike into any the sayde dominions of
the State and Segniorie of Venice by sea, or that shall bring or cause to
be brought into our saide Realme any of the said corrants being the raysins
of Corinth, or wines of Candia, other then the sayd companie in paine of
our indignation, and of forfaiture and losse as well of the shippe and
ships with the furniture thereof, as also of the goods, marchandize, and
thinges whatsoeuer they be of those which shall attempt or presume to
commit or doe any matter or thing contrarie to the prohibition aforesayd.
The one half of all the saide forfeitures to be to vs, our heires and
successours, and the other halfe of all and euery the sayde forfeitures we
doe by these presents, of our speciall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere
motion clearely and wholie for vs, our heires and successors, giue and
graunt vnto the saide Gouernour and companie of marchantes of the Leuant.
And further all and euery the sayde offendours for their sayde contempt to
suffer imprisonment during our pleasures, and such other punishment as to
vs for so high a contempt shall seeme meete and conuenient, and not to be
in any wise deliuered vntill they and euery of them shall be come bounde
vnto the sayd Gouernour for the time being in the summe of one thousand
poundes or lesse at no time, then after to sayle or traffike by sea into
any the dominions aforesaide, or to bring or cause to be brought from any
the places aforesayde any corrants, raysins of Corinth, or wines of Candia
contrarie to our expresse commaundement in that behalfe herein set downe
and published.
Prouided alwayes, and our expresse will is notwithstanding the premisses
that if our sayde subiects shall at any time hereafter be recompensed of
and for all such newe impostes and charges as they and euery of them shall
pay, and likewise be freely discharged of and from the payment of all
manner of newe imposte or taxe for any of their marchandise which they
hereafter shall bring into or from any the dominions of the sayde State or
Segniorie of Venice, and from all bondes and other assurances by them or
any of them to be made for or in that behalfe, that then immediatly from
and after such recompence and discharge made as aforesayde our sayde
prohibition and restraint in these presentes mentioned, shall not be of any
strength or force against the sayde Citie or State of Venice, or any the
subiects thereof, but for and during such time onely and in such case when
hereafter the sayde State of Venice shall againe beginne to taxe or leuie
any manner of newe imposte within the sayde dominions vpon any the goods or
marchandizes of our sayde subiects heereafter to be brought into any the
dominions of the said State or Segniorie of Venice. Any thing in these our
letters Patents contayned to the contrarie thereof in any wise
notwithstanding.
And further wee straightly charge and commaunde, and by these presentes
prohibite all and singular Customers and Collectors of our Customes,
pondage, and subsidies, and all other Officers within our porte and Citie
of London and else where, to whom it shall appertaine and euery of them,
That they or any of them by themselues, their clarkes, or substitutes shall
not receiue or take, or suffer to be receiued or taken for vs in our name,
or to our vse, or in the name, or vnto the vse of our heires or successors
of any person or persons, any summe or summes of money, or other
consideration during the sayde terme of twelue yeeres for any custome,
pondage, taxe or subsidie of any corrants, raysins of Corinth, or wines of
Candie aforesayd saue onely of and in the name of the sayde Gouernour and
companie of marchantes of the Leuant, or of some of that companie without
the consent of the sayde Gouernour and companie in writing vnder their sayd
common seale, first had and obteyned, and vnto them shewed for the
testifying their sayd consent. And for the better and more sure obseruation
thereof wee will and graunt for vs, our heires or successors by these
presentes, that our Treasurour and Barons of the Exchequer for the time
being by force of these presentes, and the inrollment thereof in the sayde
Court of our Exchequour, at all and euery time and times during the sayde
terme of twelue yeeres, at and vpon the request of the sayde Gouernour and
companie, their Attourney or Attourneys, Deputies or assignes, shall and
may make and direct vnder the seale of the sayde Court one or more
sufficient writte or writtes close or patent, vnto euery or any of the sayd
Customers, or other Officers to whom it shall appertaine, commaunding them
and euery of them thereby, that neither they nor any of them at any time or
times during the sayd space of twelue yeeres shall take entrie of any
corants, raisins of Corinth, or wines of Candia, or take or make any
agreement for any custome, pondage, or other subsidie for any of the sayd
corants, raisins of Corinth, or wines of Candie, with any person or persons
whatsoeuer, other then with, or in the name and by the priuitie of the sayd
gouernour and company or some of the same company.
And further of our special grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion we
haue condescended and graunted, and by these presents for vs our heires and
successours doe condescend and graunt to the sayd Gouernour and company of
merchants of Leuant, that wee, our heires and successours, during the sayd
terme, will not graunt libertie, licence, or power to any person or persons
whatsoeuer contrary to the tenour of these our letters patents, to saile,
passe, trade, or traffique by the sayd Leuant Sea, into, or from the sayde
dominions of the sayd Grand Signior or the dominions of the State of Venice
or any of them, contrary to the true meaning of these presents, without the
consent of the sayd Gouernour and Companie or the most part of them.
And whereas Henry Farrington and Henry Hewet haue not yet assented to bee
incorporated into the sayd societie of Gouernour and companie of marchants
of Leuant, neuerthelesse sithence, as we be informed, they haue bene
traders that way heretofore; our will and pleasure is, and we doe hereby
expressely commaund and charge that if it happen at any time within two
moneths next following after the date hereof, the sayd Henry Farrington and
Henry Hewet or either of them, do submit themselues to be of the sayd
companie, and doe giue such assurance as the sayd Gouernour and companie,
or the more part of them shall allow of, to beare, pay, and performe such
orders, constitutions, paiments and contributions, as other of the sayd
company shall be ordered to beare, pay, and performe, that then euery of
the sayd Henry Farrington and Henry Hewet so doing and submitting himselfe,
shall vpon his or their request vnto the sayd Gouernour bee admitted into
the sayd companie and corporation of Gouernour and companie of marchants of
Leuant, and haue and enioy the same, and as great liberties, priuileges,
and preheminences, as the rest of the sayde corporation or companie may, or
ought to haue by vertue of this our graunt. Any thing in these presents
contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
And our will and pleasure is, and hereby wee doe also ordaine that it shall
and may bee lawfull, to, and for the sayde Gouernour and company of
marchants of Leuant or the more part of them, to admit into, and to be of
the sayd companie, any such as haue bene or shall bee employed as seruants,
factors, or agents in the trade of marchandise by the sayd Leuant seas,
into any the countreys, dominions or territories of the sayd Grand Signior
or Signiorie or State of Venice, according as they or the most part of them
shall thinke requisite.
And where Anthony Ratcliffe, Steuen Some, and Robert Brooke Aldermen of the
saide Citie of London, Simon Laurence, Iohn Wattes, Iohn Newton, Thomas
Middleton, Robert Coxe, Iohn Blunt, Charles Faith, Thomas Barnes, Alexander
Dansey, Richard Aldworth, Henry Cowlthirste, Cæsar Doffie, Martine Bonde,
Oliuer Stile and Nicholas Stile Marchants of London for their abilities and
sufficiencies haue bene thought fit to be also of the sayd Company of the
saide gouernour and Company of Marchants of Leuant: Our will and pleasure
and expresse commaundement is, and wee doe hereby establish and ordeine,
that euery such of the same Anthony Radcliffe, Steuen Some, Robert Brooke,
Simon Laurence, Iohn Wattes, Iohn Newton, Thomas Midleton, Robert Coxe,
Iohn Blunt, Charles Faith, Thomas Barnes, Alexander Dansey, Richard
Aldworth, Henry Cowlthirste, Cæsar Doffie, Martine Bonde, Oliuer Style, and
Nicholas Style, as shall pay vnto the saide Gouernour and company of
Marchants of Leuante the summe of one hundred and thirtie poundes of
lawfull English money within two monethes next after the date hereof
towards the charges that the same Company haue already bene at in and about
the establishing of the sayde trades shall from hencefoorth bee of of the
same company of the Marchants of Leuant as fully and amply and in like
maner, as any other of that societie or Company.
Prouided also, that wee, our heires and successours at any time during the
sayd twelue yeeres may lawfully appoynt and authorize two other persons
exercising the lawfull trade of marchandize, and being fit men to bee of
the sayd companie of Gouernour and companie of marchants of Leuant, so that
the sayd persons to bee nominated or authorized, shall aide, doe, beare,
and paie such payments and charges touching and concerning the same trade
and Companie of marchants of Leuant, ratablie as other of the sayd Companie
of marchants of Leuant shall, and doe, or ought to beare and pay: and doe
also performe and obserue the orders of the sayd Companie allowable by this
our graunt, as others of the same doe or ought to doe; And that such two
persons so to bee appoynted by vs our heires or successours, shall and may
with the sayd Company vse the trade and feate of marchandise aforesayd, and
all the liberties and priuileges herein before granted, according to the
meaning of these our letters patents, any thing in these our letters
patents contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
Prouided also, that if any of the marchants before by these presents named
or incorporated, to bee of the said fellowship of Gouernour and companie of
the merchants of Leuant, shall not bee willing to continue or bee of the
same companie, and doe giue notice thereof, or make the same knowen to the
sayd Gouernour, within two moneths next after the date hereof, that then
such person so giuing notice, shall no furthur or any longer be of that
companie, or haue trade into those parties, nor be at any time after that
of the same corporation or companie, or vse trade into any territories or
countries aforesayd.
Prouided alwayes neuerthelesse, that euery such person so giuing notice and
hauing at this present any goods or marchandises in any the Territories or
countreys of the sayd Grand Signior, or Segniorie or State of Venice, may
at any time within the space of eighteene moneths next, and immediately
following after the date hereof, haue free libertie, power and authoritie
to returne the same or the value thereof into this Realme, without vsing
any traffique there, but immediately from thence hither, paying, bearing,
answering, and performing all such charges, dueties, and summes of money
ratably as other of the same corporation or company doe or shall pay,
beare, answere, or performe for the like.
Prouided also, that if any of the persons before by these presents named or
incorporated to bee of the sayd fellowship of Gouernour and Companie of the
marchants of Leuant, or which hereafter shall bee admitted to bee of the
sayde Corporation or Companie, shall at any time or times hereafter refuse
to be of the sayd Corporation or Companie, or to beare, pay or be
contributorie to, or not beare and pay such ratable charges and allowances,
or to obserue or performe such ordinances to bee made as is aforesayd, as
other of the same company are, or shall bee ordered, to beare, paie, or
performe, that then it shall and may bee lawfull for the rest of the sayd
Gouernour and companie of marchants of Leuant, presently to expell,
remooue, and displace euery such person so refusing, or not bearing or
paying out, of, and from the sayd Corporation, and companie, and from all
priuilege, libertie, and preheminence which any such person should, or
might claime, or haue by vertue of this our graunt, and in place of them to
elect others exercising the lawfull trade of marchandise to bee of the sayd
Company. And that euery such person so expelled, remooued, or displaced by
consent of the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of Leuant, or the
more part of them, shall bee from thencefoorth vtterly disabled to take any
benefite by vertue of this priuilege, or any time after to bee admitted or
receiued againe into the same, any thing in these presents contained to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Provided alwayes, that if it shall hereafter appears to vs, our heires and
successours, that this graunt or the continuance thereof in the whole or in
any part thereof, shall not bee profitable to vs, our heires and
successours, or to this our realme, that then and from thencefoorth, vpon
and after eighteene moneths warning to bee giuen to the sayd companie by
vs, our heires and successours, this present graunt shall cease, bee voyd,
and determined to all intents, constructions and purposes.
And further of our speciall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion, we
haue condescended and graunted, and by these presents for vs, our heires
and successors, doe condescend and graunt to the sayde Gouernour and
companie of marchants of Leuant, that if at the ende of the sayd terme of
twelue yeeres it shall seeme meete and conuenient to the sayde Gouernour
and Companie, or any the parties aforesayd, that this present graunt shall
bee continued: And if that also it shall appear vnto vs, our heires and
successours, that the continuance thereof shall not bee preiudiciall or
hurtfull to this our realme, but that wee shall finde the further
continuance thereof profitable for vs, our heires and successours and for
our realme with such conditions as are herein mentioned, or with some
alteration or qualification thereof, that then wee, our heires and
successours at the instance and humble petition of the sayde Gouernour and
Companie, or any of them so suing for the same, and such other person and
persons our subiectes as they shall nominate and appoint, or shall bee by
vs, our heires and successours newly nominated, not exceeding in number
twelue, new letters patents vnder the great seale of England in due forme
of lawe with like couenants, graunts, clauses, and articles, as in these
presents are contained, or with addition of other necessarie articles or
changing of these in some partes, for, and during the full terme of twelue
yeeres then next following. Willing now hereby, and straightly commannding
and charging all and singular our Admirals, Vice-admirals, Iustices,
Maiors, Shiriffes, Escheators, Constables, Bailiffes, and all and singular
other our Officers, Ministers, Liege-men and subiects whatsoeuer, to bee
aiding, fauouring, helping, and assisting vnto the sayd companie and their
successours, and to their Deputies, Officers, Factors, seruants, assignes
and ministers, and euery of them, in executing and enioying the premisses
as well on land as on Sea, from time to time, and at all times when you or
any of you shal thereto bee required, any Statute, Acte, ordinance,
Prouiso, Proclamation or restraint heretofore had, made, set foorth,
ordained or prouided, or any other matter, cause or thing whatsoeuer to the
contrary in any wise notwithstanding.
Although expresse mention of the true yeerely value or certaintie of the
premisses, or any of them, or of any other gifts or graunts by vs, or any
of our progenitours to the sayde Gouernour and Companie of the marchants of
Leuant before this time made, in these presents is not made: Or any
Statute, Acte, Ordinance, prouision, proclamation or restraint to the
contrary thereof before this time had, made, done, or prouided, or any
other matter, thing or cause whatsoeuer, in any wise notwithstanding. In
witnesse whereof we haue caused these our letters to be made patents.
Witnesse our selfe at Westminster the seuenth day of Ianuarie in the foure
and thirtieth yeere of our raigne.
Per breue de priuato Sigillo.
Bailie.
* * * * *
Voyage D'outremer et Retour de Jérusalem en France par la voie de terre,
pendant le cours des années 1432 et 1433, par Bertrandon de la
Brocquière, conseiller et premier écuyer tranchant de Philippe-le-bon,
duc de Bourgogne; ouvrage extrait d'un Manuscript de la Bibliothèque
Nationale, remis en Français Moderne, et publié par le citoyen Legrand
d'Aussy.
Discours Prèliminaire.
Les relations de voyages publièes par nos Français remontent fort haut.