indifferently, as the Lord in that great day wil do, that Douer, Sandwich,
and Rumney, were in the time of K. Edward the Confessour discharged almost
of all maner of imposicions and burdens (which other townes did beare) in
consideration of such seruice to bee done by them vpon the sea, as in their
special titles shall hereafter appeare.

Whereupon, although I might ground reasonable coniecture, that the
immunitie of the hauen Townes (which we nowe call by a certaine number, the
Cinque Ports) might take their beginning from the same Edward: yet for as
much as I read in the Chartre of K. Edward the first after the conquest
(which is reported in our booke of Entries) A recitall of the graunts of
sundry kings to the Fiue Ports, the same reaching no higher then to William
the Conquerour, I will leaue my coniecture, and leane to his Chartre:
contenting my selfe to yeelde to the Conquerour, the thankes of other mens
benefits, seeing those which were benefited, were wisely contented (as the
case then stood) to like better of his confirmation (or second gift) then
of K. Edwards first graunt, and endowment.

And to the ende that I may proceed in some maner of array, I will first
shewe, which Townes were at the beginning taken for the Fiue Ports, and
what others be now reputed in the same number: secondly, what seruice they
ought, and did in times passed: and lastly, what priuiledges they haue
therefore, and by what persons they haue bene gouerned.

If I should iudge by the common, and rude verse,

Douer, Sandwicus, Ry, Rum, Frigmare ventus,
[Sidenote: Which be the Fiue Ports.]

I must say that Douer, Sandwich, Rie, Rumney, and Winchelsey, (for that is,