Norwich had long been a mercantile and trading town, and one of the royal cities of England, and ships came up by an arm of the sea to an open market, which was held every day in the week. Public marts or fairs were held twice a year, with all manner of merchandise for sale to citizens, strangers, or foreigners. The traders for centuries used this right of buying and selling, loading and unloading all their goods and merchandise, free of all tolls and dues. Foreign merchants paid at Norwich 4d. on every ship of bulk, 2d. for every boat, and all other customs for their merchandise. At the commencement of the 14th century Yarmouth began to be a rival port to Norwich, and some legal contests took place between the two towns respecting their rights and privileges. In 1327, a suit was commenced, and in 1331 it was renewed, between the citizens of Norwich and the burgesses of Yarmouth, relating to certain tolls which the latter imposed on goods, claiming the right to do so under the charter of Edward I., which made Yarmouth a port. Indeed, they appear to have been so incensed at the city becoming a staple that they proceeded so far as to stop all vessels coming through from their port to Norwich. A very remarkable contest consequently arose, and terminated in favour of the city. The result of the suit was, that the bailiffs of Yarmouth were commanded to make proclamation in their town, “That if any hindered or in any way molested the merchant vessels of what kind soever from passing and re-passing through the port of Yarmouth, to and from the city of Norwich, they should forfeit all their goods and chattels, forfeitable, for so doing.” Yarmouth was, therefore, prevented for a time from levying duties, but subsequently regained the power of doing so to a great extent. If Norwich in former ages was an important seaport, the question naturally arises how it ceased to be so. There is sufficient evidence that after the year 500, the arm of the sea became narrower, though at that period the water came up close to the Castle Hill. After 1050, the river was much reduced in breadth, and a new town arose round the fortress. Centuries elapsed and the river became still narrower, and streets were extended on each side. At length the stream became so shallow that it was no longer navigable for sea-borne vessels, and the ancient trade of the city began to decline. The citizens, occupied by political contests, did not keep up the navigation for sea-borne vessels, as they might easily have done. Attempts were made in this (19th) century to retrieve the long neglect of former ages by some schemes of improvement, but these attempts almost entirely failed. Still the city owed many trading advantages to its river, which is navigable for wherries and packets to the sea.