1337.

Blackfriars' Tower completed.

Forty ships of war ordered to Yarmouth roads.

The Yarmouth navy, comprising 20 men-of-war, had orders to proceed to the port of Dort, to convoy the King's four plenipotentiaries to the Court of Hainault from those parts to England. On their return they took two Flemish ships and their cargoes. The Bishop of Glasgow, who was on board one, died of his wounds at Sandwich.

1338.

Thomas De Drayton, a Yarmouth man, who had held the office of bailiff fifteen times, was appointed Admiral of the North Fleet.

Yarmouth magistrates, &c., fitted out a fleet of men-of-war, well equipped, at their own cost and charge, to go against the enemy at sea for the s.p.a.ce of a month.

1340.

John Perebrown, a burgess of Yarmouth, led the King's North Sea Fleet in the great battle of Sluys, and did great service; 230 ships and 30,000 Frenchmen were lost.

1342.

Oct. Edward III. embarked on board the Yarmouth squadron in his unsuccessful expedition to Brittany.

The princ.i.p.al inhabitants fined 1000 marks for committing trespa.s.ses, &c., on the sea coast.

1346.

The first Haven cut.

1347.

Yarmouth a.s.sisted Edward III. at the siege of Calais with 43 vessels of war and 1,075 mariners, which was 18 ships more than London sent, and more than any other port, except Fowey.

13489.

Plague carried off 7,052 persons out of the then population of 10,000.

1352.

Yarmouth gave to the St. George's College of Windsor by charter, a last of red herrings, to be delivered annually for ever on St. Andrew's day, concerning which many disputes have since arisen.

1353.

Pa.s.senger boat from Yarmouth to Norwich sunk near Cantley, and 38 persons drowned.

1354.

Fastolf, father of the renowned Sir John Fastolf, one of the bailiffs.

1365.

Six Yarmouth vessels captured and burnt in the Bay of Brittany.

1368.

John Lawers hung for not paying the Custom House dues.

1369.

Yarmouth first appointed a staple port.