king Edward the Confessor's reign,the five ports, Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Hythe and Romney, were formally incorporated under the government of a Lord Warden , with
nearly the same privileges which they now possess ; and the Banner of St. Michael of Hastings was adopted as the Banner of the ports. Moreover, Hastings had to contribute the same number of ships as Dover , and more than all the other ports put together. Hastings and Dover, equipping 21 each , and the other three ports 15 : whence it is clear that Hastings was at least equal to Dover in consequence, and much more important than the other towns which only contributed 5 each ; and we may also fairly infer that she had long been associated with them ; for we can scarcely imagine that towns such as Dover, Sandwich (Rutupiae), and Lymne or Hythe, whom we have seen confederated together in Roman times,would allow a port with which they had been previously but little connected, at one bound to assume the precedency.
It is a point not without interest to Archaeologists that the question of the precedence of Hastings amongst the ports is now in course of argument before the Lord Warden : and the statement of the right of precedence of Hastings, compiled by Mr. COOPER and Mr. Ross, as well as the counter statement in favour of Dover , drawn up by Mr. KNOCKER, merit their attentive consideration . Both towns have submitted to the ultimate decision of the Warden, who will be guided by the advice of the -
