whatsoeuer they be, and in what part of the world soeuer they be, which
before this time haue bene vnknowen to all Christians; we haue granted to
them, and also to euery of them, the heires of them, and their deputies,
and haue giuen them licence to set vp our banners and ensignes in euery
village, towne, castle, isle, or maine land of them newly found. And that
the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes, or their heires and assignes may subdue,
occupy and possesse all such townes, cities, castles and isles of them
found, which they can subdue, occupy and possesse, as our vassals, and
lieutenants, getting vnto vs the rule, title, and iurisdiction of the same
villages, townes, castles, and firme land so found. [Sidenote: Bristol
thought the meetest port for Westerne discoueries.] Yet so that the
aforesayd Iohn, and his sonnes and heires, and their deputies, be holden
and bounden of all the fruits, profits, gaines, and commodities growing of
such nauigation, for euery their voyage, as often as they shall arriue at
our port of Bristoll (at the which port they shall be bound and holden
onely to arriue) all maner of necessary costs and charges by them made,
being deducted, to pay vnto vs in wares or money the fift part of the
capitall gaine so gotten. [Sidenote: Freedome from custome.] We giuing and
granting vnto them and to their heires and deputies, that they shall be
free from all paying of customes of all and singular such merchandize as
they shall bring with them from those places so newly found. And moreouer,
we haue giuen and granted to them, their heires and deputies, that all the
firme lands, isles, villages, townes, castles and places whatsoeuer they be
that they shall chance to finde, may not of any other of our subiects be
frequented or visited without the licence of the foresayd Iohn and his
sonnes, and their deputies, vnder paine of forfeiture aswell of their
shippes as of all and singuler goods of all them that shall presume to
saile to those places so found. Willing, and most straightly commanding all
and singuler our subiects aswell on land as on sea, to giue good assistance
to the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes and deputies, and that as well in