A close Roll of 1325 states that men of the Cinque Ports had granted one fourth of all prizes to the king.[8] The Portsmen by a grant of William the Conqueror[9] enjoyed special privileges in prize matters and claimed to enjoy prizes of their own right. In early times their forces comprised the greater part of England's naval strength so this privilege was quite important. However, the kings seem to have wished to regain some of the jurisdiction which they had granted away and in the case mentioned Edward II tried to gain jurisdiction over the whole of the prize. In 1326 the king's primal right seemed to be recognized as superior to that of the Portsmen for a grant of that date is made by the king, of all prizes to the portsmen.[10] b. Administration. During this period no machinery for adjudication was established. The only means through which the king could collect a share of prize was through the common law courts and they proved in most cases inadequate. The jealously guarded jurisdictions of the Cinque ports also largely interfered with the king's perquisites in prize. Their peculiar customs were held above the king's right. Thus in 1293 when Edward I claimed a share of prizes captured by Portsmen they stated that on the occasion in question they had hoisted a flag called the "Baucon". This action meant a fight to the death in which case by the universally recognized law of the sea all prizes captured by the survivors belonged to them. Furthermore if the king endeavored to interfere with them they would leave the country.[11] Such assertions of independence probably prevented much state interference with prize distribution at this period. _NOTES._ Chapter III, Part 1. [1] Kent, Commentaries on International law, Abdy edition, Cambridge, 1866, p. 271. [2] King vs. Broom, 12 Mod. 135; 88 English Reports 1217. [3] H. E. Smith, Studies in Juridical Law, Chicago, 1902, p. 139. [4] R. G. Marsdon, introduction to select pleas of the Admiralty, Seldon Series, vi. [5] Rymer, Foedera, 20 Vols., London, 1704-1735, i, 408. [6] Calendar of Patent Rolls, Ed. I, 1292-1301, m 16, p. 130. [7] R. G. Marsdon, Early Prize Jurisdiction in England, English Historical Review, xxiv, 675. [8] Calendar of Close Rolls, Ed. II, 1323-1327, m 26, p. 412. [9] D. J. Medley, A Student's Manual of English Constitutional History, Oxford, 1907, p. 485. [10] Rymer, op. cit. iv, 226. [11] Marsdon, English Historical Review, xxiv, 677. PART 2. 1340-1485. a. Laws.