CORNWALL to wear the arms of these Cinque Ports in- tertwined with their own, in token of their supremacy. They were a terror to the French coast, harrying it in war and in the rare times of peace. In 1457 the French returned the compliment by landing at night and burn- ing the town, but failed in their attack on Place, the seat of the TrefFrys. It was after this that the two forts were built, one on each side of the harbour, as at Dartmouth, with a stout chain dropped between them at night- fiill. But Fowey, having won the grace of Edward IV. by its zeal against France, lost that grace by continuing this zeal after he had made peace with the French king. It was in vain that Edward sent word, " 1 am at peace with my brother of France " ; the Fowey men replied that they themselves were at war with France. Furthermore, it is stated that they slit the nose of the king's pursuivant. Their obstinate and dogged enmity did not recognise the shifting moods of courts and palaces. It was an offence meriting chastisement, certainly; but Edward's revenge was petty and unpatriotic. He sent a party to Lostwithiel — they were afraid to come nearer; and these men, pretending to need help for some new designs against the French, invited the men of Fowey to come and assist their plans. Those dauntless seamen went gladly enough ; they were then treacherously seized, their leader hanged, while the men of Dart- mouth were sent to remove their harbour-chain 106
