Fisheries Privilege (1666)
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The Fisheries Privilege is a charter issued by Charles II granting rights to 50 fishermen from Bruges to fish in British coastal waters in perpetuity. It was considered to be a demonstration of gratitude for his exile there from 1656 to 1659. The charter was forgotten for many years but has regained prominence on three occasions. The exact status in law of the agreement remains open to this day.
Charles II in Bruges
Having been driven from Britain in 1651 by Oliver Cromwell, Charles initially sought refuge in Paris and the Cologne. However, when he attempted to reach Brussels he was barred by Philip IV of Spain who wanted to avoid a conflict with Cromwell. The two princes secretly agreed to join forces to regain the British throne for Charles and to allow Charles to settle anonymously in Bruges.[1] During his stay in Bruges, Charles was an active member of the civil society of Bruges and became a member of the Saint Joris Guild, through which he made some strategic friendships. When Oliver Cromwell was succeeded by his son Richard, Charles went to Brussels (1659) in order to prepare his return to Britain. In June 1660 he officially regained the throne of England. In 1666 his earlier guide and friend in Bruges, the knight Arrazola de Oñate was named "exceptional" ambassador to Charles by the Spanish king Philip IV with the intention to negotiate a trade treaty. Although the treaty has been lost, the City of Bruges still possesses a charter granting privileges to the fishermen of Bruges to fish in English waters.[2] The charter was never really tested until 1851 due to the numerous conflicts that affected Europe between its signing and the mid nineteenth century.[citation needed]