English ships had one mast with a square sail. The hulls were made of planks overlapping each other. There was a high fore castle [tower] on the bow, a top castle on the mast, and a high stern castle from which to shoot arrows down on other ships. There were no rowing oars, but steering was still by an oar on the starboard side of the ship. The usual carrying capacity was 30 tuns [big casks of wine each with about 250 gallons]. On the coasts there were lights and beacons. Harbors at river mouths were kept from silting up. Ships were loaded from piers. The construction of London Bridge had just been finished. Bricks began to be imported for building. About 10% of the population lived in towns. Churches had stained glass windows. Newcastle-on-Tyne received these new rights: 1. -And that they shall justly have their lands and tenures and mortgages and debts, whoever owes them to them. 2. -Concerning their lands and tenures within the town, right shall be done to them according to the custom of the city Winton. 3. -And of all their debts which are lent in Newcastle-on-Tyne and of mortgages there made, pleas shall be held at Newcastle-on-Tyne. 4. -None of them shall plead outside the walls of the City of Newcastle-on-Tyne on any plea, except pleas of tenures outside the city and except the minters and my ministers. 5. -That none of them be distrained by any without the said city for the repayment of any debt to any person for which he is not capital debtor or surety. 6. -That the burgesses shall be quit of toll and lastage [duty on a ship's cargo] and pontage [tax for repairing bridges] and have passage back and forth. 7. -Moreover, for the improvement of the city, I have granted them that they shall be quit of year's gift and of scotale [pressure to buy ale at the sheriff's tavern], so that my sheriff of Newcastle-on-Tyne or any other minister shall not make a scotale. 8. -And whosoever shall seek that city with his merchandise, whether foreigners or others, of whatever place they may be, they may come sojourn and depart in my safe peace, on paying - - the due customs and debts, and any impediment to these rights is prohibited. 9. -We have granted them also a merchant guild. 10. And that none of them [in the merchant guild] shall fight by combat.