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Forecastles and stern castles on ships were lower and broader.
Underneath them were cabins. The English ship was still single
masted with a single square sail. A fleet was formed with over 200
ships selected by the English admirals acting for the king at the
ports. Men were seized and pressed into service and criminals were
pardoned from crimes to become sailors in the fleet, which was led
by the King's ship. They used the superior longbow against the
French sailor's crossbow. In 1372, the Tower of London had four
mounted fortress cannon and the port of Dover had six.
The war's disruption of shipping caused trade to decline. But the
better policing of the narrow seas made piracy almost disappear.
English merchants may carry their merchandise in foreign ships if
there are no English ships available.
Anyone may ship or carry grain out of the nation, except to
enemies, after paying duties. But the council may restrain this
passage when necessary for the good of the nation. Any merchant,
privy or stranger, who was robbed of goods on the sea or lost his
ship by tempest or other misfortune on the sea banks, his goods
coming to shore could not be declared Wreck, but were to be
delivered to the merchant after he proves ownership in court by
his marks on the goods or by good and lawful merchants.
All stakes and obstacles set up in rivers impeding the passage of
boats shall be removed.
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