Page:Diplomacy and the Study of International Relations (1919).djvu/158

 exactitude on the tangled subject of the Laws of Oleron and the sea-law of the Middle Ages. But, at least, the author is clear in his own mind regarding the content of the claim to the lordship of the 'seas environing England'. The kings of England have successively had the 'Soveraigne guard of the Seas', and definite and substantial rights and powers have been attached to that sovereignty. They 'have imposed taxes and tributes upon all ships passing and fishing therein'. They 'have stopped, and opened the passage thereof, to strangers as they saw cause'. 'All wrecks and Royall fishes therein found are originally due and doe belong unto them.' The author treats concisely of the rights and incidents involved in