(Vol. viii., p. 269.)
I fear that the result of my researches will be but of little service;
but your Querist is heartily welcome to the mite I offer.
The second seal appears to have been the seal of assay; probably used for
certifying the correctness of the king's beam, or for sealing documents
authorising exports, of which there were formerly many and various from
this port. Yarmouth was held by the kings until 9 John, when a charter
was granted to his burgesses, inhabitants of Gernemue, that they should
henceforth hold the town in "fee-farm," paying yearly the sum of 55_l._
in lieu of all rents, tolls, &c. Probably on this occasion a seal of
arms was granted. About the year 1306 a dispute fell out between Great
Yarmouth and the men of Little Yarmouth and Gorleston adjoining, the
latter insisting on the right to load and unload fish in their harbours;
but the former prevailed as being free burgh, which the others were not.
In 1332 a charter was granted (6 Ed. III.) for adjusting these disputes,
wherein it was directed--
"That ships laden with wool, leather, and skins upon which
the great custom is due, shall clear out from that port where
our beam and the seal called _coket_ remain, and nowhere else
(ubi thronus noster et sigillum nostrum, quod dicitur _coket_,
existunt, et non alibi carcentur)."
What _coket_ is, I am unable to say: but the king's beam for weighing
merchandise, called _thronus_ or _tronus_, stood usually in the most
public place of the town or port. The legend on this seal appears to be
old French, and is evidently the "seal of assay of Great Yarmouth."
The third seal has probably belonged to Little Yarmouth. The arms
of Great Yarmouth were "azure three herrings in pale argent." It is
not unlikely that during disputes between the two ports the Little
Yarmouthites might assume a seal of arms; but as such thing were more
carefully looked after then than in these degenerate days, they would
not venture on the _three herrings_, but content themselves with one;
and they might desire to dignify their town as "New" instead of "Little"
Yarmouth.
With regard to the first seal, I should judge from its oval shape, the
cross, and legend, that it is ecclesiastic, and has no connexion with
Yarmouth.