William and Mary, 1689: An Act to Declare the Right and Freedome of Election of Members to serve in Parlyament for the CinquePorts. [Chapter VII. Rot. Parl. pt. 1. nu. 9.]

Recital of Claim of the Lord Wardens to nominate a Member for each Port.

Such Nomination void.

Whereas the Election of Members to serve in Parlyament ought to be Free And whereas the late Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports have pretended unto and claimed as of Right a Power of Nominating and Recommending to each of the said Cinque Ports the two antient Townes and their respective Members one person whome they ought to elect to serve as a Baron or Member of Parlyament for such respective Port antient Towne or Member contrary to the antient Usage Right and Freedome of Elections Bee it therefore declared and enacted by the King and Queens most excellent Majestyes by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons in this present Parlyament assembled and by the authoritie of the same That all such Nominations or Recommendations were and are contrary to the Laws and Constitutions of this Realme and for the future shall be soe deemed and construed and hereby are declared to have beene and are void to all intents and purposes whatsoever any pretence to the contrary notwithstanding.