Evidence from Shipping Records 1417-1442

One method of understanding Cromer as a port is from the merchant shipping records. Such records are not consistent over the years, but give glimpses of boats working out of Cromer. Smaller boats were not recorded, and documents indicate permits from the king to stop such smaller vessels being 'arrested' for his service. Nevertheless, some were commandered to assist the king's ambitions, moving soldiers, horses and stores, such as at the time of the battle of Agincourt.

• Roger Wrask, farecost, vocat Trinite de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 325
• John Clement, navis, vocat La Trinite de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 325
• Simon Fauconer, dogger, vocat James de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 325
• William Richeman, lodeship, vocat Nicholas de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 325
• John Martyn, dogger, vocat Mighel de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• John Clement Junior, farecost, vocat Blithe de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• Robert Game, lodeship, vocat Petre de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• John Osteler, dogger, vocat Garland de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• John Tule, lodeship, vocat Mighell de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• William Shinfield, lodeship, vocat Marie de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326
• Adam Freman, collett, vocat Katerine de Crowemere — Rotuli Normanniae, p. 326

The surviving record therefore identifies eleven Cromer vessels released from service in 1417, together with their masters and vessel descriptions. The group included three doggers, four lodeships, two farecosts, one navis and one collett. The terminology suggests a mixed fleet rather than vessels of a single size or function.

A suggestion for the lodeship Nicholas of CrowmereA farecost was a comparatively small coastal or fishing vessel; a dogger was a sturdy North Sea fishing vessel, particularly associated with offshore line fishing; and a lodeship was primarily a cargo-carrying vessel. Navis is the Latin word for ship and here probably denotes a substantial general-purpose vessel rather than a specialised craft. The precise form of a collett is uncertain, although contemporary records clearly treated it as a distinct vessel type.

The Garland is recorded above as a Cromer vessel in 1417, commanded by John Osteler. A later licence of 1434 records William Truwe as master/owner of the Garland of Cromer permitted to carry 60 pilgrims. It is possible that this was the same vessel, although the identity cannot at present be regarded as proved.

The navis La Trinitê, in the style of a medieval cog of about 15 tons

• Robert Calwar, Nicolas, 80 tons, 1435, recorded 14 December 1435 to 24 February 1436 — National Archives, E101/53/24 m.1d
• William Wyrle, Margaret, 40 tons, 1438, recorded from 27 March 1438 — National Archives, E101/53/24 m.2
• Richard Aleyn, James, 50 tons, 1443, recorded from 6 April 1443 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• John Madson, Peter, 40 tons, 1443, recorded from 6 April 1443 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• John Dowglas, Katine, 70 tons, 1443, recorded from 6 April 1443 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• John Grace, Trinite, 28 tons, 1443, recorded from 6 April 1443 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• Richard Arnold, Welfare, 50 tons, 1443, recorded from 6 April 1443 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• Gervase Faconer, George, 1439, recorded from 8 May 1439 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• William Bacheler, Thomas, 30 tons, 1442, recorded from 30 April 1442 — National Archives, E101/53/39
• John Moore, George, 28 tons, 1442, recorded from 30 April 1442 — National Archives, E101/53/39