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Letter of Marque
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The Baron of Lyondemere to all and singular Admirals, captains, castellans, and to their lieutenants, and to keepers of ports of the sea and other maritime places, and to majors, bailiffs, constables, provosts. and officers, and to masters and owners of ships, and Mariners, and also to victuallers of ships, and to all other our lieges and subjects, whether on land or at sea, liberties or without, to whom these presents may come,
Greeting.
Know ye that we have granted and given leave to our well-beloved Captain Lot Ramirez to sail and to pass to the seas with as many ships, barges, and balingers of war, men-at-arms and bowman properly equipped, as he may be able to provide himself with, to do all the hurt he can do to our open enemies, as well for their destruction as for the safe guarding and defence of our faithful leiges, and for the safety of our realm. And therefore we command you, and each of you, that you supply the said Captain with ships, barges, and baligers, victuals, and all other things necessary and useful to him in our behalf, he paying for the same as shall be reasonably agreeed between you and him; and that you be aiding, advising, and assisting to him in the performance and execution of the premises, as beseems you.
In witness, &c. Thses presents to endure according to our pleasure.
Witness the Baron of Lyondemere, 23 July A.S. XL
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Based on a Letter of Marque issued in 1404 to Henry Payne by King Henry IV allowing him to form press gangs to kidnap enough men as crews for his new fleet of war ships (which he paid for himself); and then to sail his fleet against any enemies of the King or those loyal to him.
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