Where as in and adioinyng to our Countie of Deuon , there is betwene the Hauen of Exmouthe in the saied Countie of Deuon , and our Cobbe of Lime Regis in our Countie of Dorcet , one Baie verie daungerous in tyme of Winter and Tempestes : In and nere whiche place in tymes paste , hath been a good and safe Port and Hauen ; called Culliton Hauen at Seaton , in our said Countie of Deuon : as maie well appeare bothe by auncient writynges , and other euidence : and also by sundrie Anchors and Shippe timber , daiely founde in the lande Meddowes , and Marshes there about , as we are enformed . Whiche Hauen at that tyme was of greate vse and commoditie , for the trade and traffique of Marchandize , for the benefite and relief of the Subiectes of this our Realme , for the profite of the Countrey adioynyng , for the maintenance of the Nauie , Fishermen , and Mariners , as well of our Proginitours , as of their Subiectes . And especially hath been a greate succour , and place of refuge , and safegard for shippes and men , arriuyng about the same coastes : and where by the decaie and stoppyng of the saied Hauen , and for lacke of suche a sure place of arriuall in so greate a space , and vpon so large and daungerous seas , greate number of Shippes , and bodies of Englishe Marchauntes , Passengers , Mariners , and other people , and also of sundrie straungers Marchauntes , and other beyng in amitie with vs , haue yerely been moste lamentably caste awaie and perished , and are like to bee caste awaie and perishe , if good remedie in that behalfe be not prouided : All whiche matters together , with the greate importaunce , necessitie , and profite to this our Realme , that the Hauen there maie be repaired and restored , hath been certified vnto vs by the Iustices of Peace , and other Gentlemen , inhabityng within our said Countie of Deuon . And where our louyng and faithfull Subiectes , the good men and inhabitauntes of our toune of Culliton , in our saied Countie of Deuon , haue not onely made their moste humble suite to vs , that of our gracious goodnesse and clemencie , it would please vs to prouide some conuenient meane , that the saied Hauen maie be new made , and repaired : But also haue offered to employe their trauailes , diligences , and expences of their goodes , to the vttermost of their habilities , for the performance of the said good and charitable worke . And for that the finishyng thereof , farre surmounteth their power and substance , and the benefite is to growe thereby not to them selues alone , but to the whole bodie of our Realme and Subiectes , either tradyng the Seas , or hauyng commoditie and vse of thynges caried out , or brought in by waie of Marchandise , and specially to those whose persones of their frendes or goodes , maie by so good a Port be preserued : Thei haue moste humblie besought vs to commende the same good laudable deede , and the charitable furtheraunce thereof , to the beneuolence of all our Subiectes , trustyng that all good Christian and Englishe persones , will for common Charitie and loue to their Countrey , and the rather for our good commendation , the more liberally contribute , that the same maie be speedely and substancially doen and performed . Wee therefore tenderyng the saied humble petitions , and of our due and royall care for the preseruation , defence , and aduauncement of this our Realme and Subiectes , esteemyng no one thyng more necessarie then the encrease of the Nauie , Fishermen , and Marchauntes , whiche without good Portes and Hauens , can not bee sustained : Of our speciall grace , certaine knowledge , and mere motion , haue giuen and graunted , and by these our Letters Patentes , doe giue and graunte full licence , permission and authoritie , to our welbeloued Subiectes Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , inhabitantes of the saied Toune of Culliton , and Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris Marchantes of London , and euery of them , and to all and euery other persone , that shal be thereunto deputed and assigned by the saied Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris , or any of them , vnder their , or any of their hande writyng , to aske and receiue of all persones , as well Spirituall and Temporall , as also Englishe borne and straungers , in all places within this our Realme of England , and all other our Dominions , the charitablt giftes and contributions , that it shall please any persones to giue , to the newe makyng , repairyng , and mainteinyng of the saied Hauen , duryng the space of xij . yeres now nexte ensuyng , and of our saied grace , we doe by these our present letters Patentes , will , require , and straightly commaunde all our Archbishoppes , and Bishoppes , within this our Realme of England to whom these presentes , or the exemplification thereof , vnder our greate Seale shall bee shewed , that thei , and euery of them in his seuerall Prouince and Dioces , doe at , and vpon the request of the saied Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris , or one of them , not onely by their letters commende the claritable furtherance of the saied good woorke : but also the saied Bishop shall constitute and appoint suche , and so many trustie persones , as the saied Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris , or one of them shall name , and in suche limites , Diocesse , and iurisdictions , as to them , and the said Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris , or any of them shal be thought best , duryng the said terme of xij . yeres now next ensuyng , to aske and gather the contributions , and giftes of all persones in euery seuerall Churche and Parishe , towardes the makyng and repairyng of the said Hauen .

And we will that the saied trustie persones , and euery of them so to be appointed , shall not onely aske and collecte , as is abouesaied : but also shall yerely , duryng the saied tearme , within xiiii . daies after euery of the seuerall feastes of the Annunciation of S. Marie the virgine , and of S. Michaell the Archangell , deliuer , or cause to be deliuered in our Citie of London , to the handes of the saied Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris Marchantes there , or to one of them , or to suche other persone or persones , as by suche Bishop or Archbishop shal be appointed , and to suche Collector so signified , with thassent of the said Ihon Clarke , Walter Rawlin , Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris or one of them , so muche money as thei , or any of them , shall then haue collected , in forme aforesaid together , with a true note and certificat of the seuerall names of suche contributers , and the seuerall summes that thei shall so contribute , and their dwellyng places , takyng and deductyng to the said Collectors , for the portage of the said summes , according to the vsuall allowance , vpon paunentes made to our vse . And we doe doe by these our present Letters Patentes , straightly charge and commaunde , and therewith also to appoint , and authorise the saied Thomas Weston , and Willyam Morris , and either of them , and all and euery other persone , to whose handes any of the saied Collectours shall paie any of the saied summes , in forme aforesaied , that suche summes so to them to be paied , thei doe with all conuenient speede paie , or cause to bee paied ouer to the handes of our right welbeloued Subiectes , sir Gawen Carewe knight , sir Ihon Moore knight , sir Robert Denis knight , sir Humfrey Gilbert knight , Bernarde Drake Esquire , and Ihon Clarke , and Walter Rawlin , inhabitantes of our saied Toune of Colliton , or to some one of them : whiche saied Gawen , Ihon , Robert , Humfrey , Barnard , Ihon , and Walter , or any fower of thē , whereof we will alwaie some of the knightes aforesaied to be twoo , wee shall by our letters appoint to ouersee , and directe the saied woorkes , and paie the workmen about the said Hauen , and once euery halfe yere to aduertise vs , or our priuie Counsell what shall haue been doen in the premisses . And we further will and commaunde all Parsones , Vicars , Curates , Ecclesiasticall Ministers , and Churchwardens , that thei doe their beste indeuours , for the augmentation of the beneuolence , and contribution of charitable persones toward the saied worke , bothe by the declaryng of the entent of our pleasure herein expressed , with the considerations here mentioned that haue vs moued , the benefite that shall thereby growe to the commonweale , and the preseruation of our Subiectes , and by exhortyng their Parishioners and Auditors to be liberall in suche contribution , and also by aduisyng and puttyng in minde of wealthy persones in tyme of sicknesse , to further the said workes , by waie of their giftes & legacies , in their last willes and testamentes . And out pleasure is that the said Hauen beyng made and finished , that then the inhabitantes of the said toune of Colliton , shall haue the preferment & preheminence , to sue for the obtainyng of a corporation , for the maintenance of the said Hauen , before any other Toune within the said Countie of Deuon . In witnesse whereof , we haue caused these our Letters to be made Pattens .