The Cinque Ports was a special institution in English history. They were
special ports designated to furnish ships, and all associated with a navy,
for the king. For our purposes one of the ports was Hastings, a port
directly below London. One need just imagine for just a moment the
opportunity for wealth accumulation such an arrangement entailed. Existing
records for the Cinque Ports exist from the year 1432 and have been
published in a handsome volume entitled The White and Black Books of the
Cinque Ports, London, 1966. The Carpenter family was an important player in
the Cinque Port affairs for Hastings. Three of them, a Thomas, a John and a
Robert are prominent. I serious suspect a family tie to Town Clerk John here
because such plum political appointments could not have been had without
important family influence and connections. I also suspect that Carpenter
connections to the Cinque Ports went well before our 1432. The material here
will also reopen the Richard Carpenter chaundeler discussion because an
important meaning of chaundeler was an individual who outfitted ships.
Likewise you will recall the two names Thomas and Robert in cennection to a
Kingston on Thames. Robert was listed there as a clerk. Surrey is directly
below London and not far above Hastings. The John Carpenter here might be
the son of John the Elder. Robert could be a close relative, while Thomas
another close relative.
The documents list the officials in charge in each area. Thomas is listed as
a bailiff to Yarmouth from hastings for 1439; a deputy for Hastings in 1433,
for 1436, 1437, bailiff for 1442, 1443, 1444.
In July and September a John Carpenter jun. is listed. This could still be
Town Clerk John despite the 1448 date.
In July 1444 a John Carpynter as bailiff to Yarmouth from Hastings is
listed. Could this be the older brother Johns son John? Again in 1448 John
Carpynter is listed. John Carpenter is listed as deputy for 1442, in 1444
John is listed with Thomas. John for 1445. For 1448. For 1449.
Robert Carpenter is listed as a Hastings deputy for 1480.
Carpenters continue to have important positions in the subsequent decades as
well.
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Carpenter