Allusion was made earlier in this article to the phrase "sov ereignty of the sea." At one time the Kings of England claimed the sovereignty or dominion of the seas surrounding the British Isles, and this was recognized for a long period as involving certain responsibilities as well as establishing certain rights. It was the general conviction of the chief maritime nations of those days that the Lord of the Sea would provide for policing the waters over which he exercised dominion. At a time when piracy was rampant this was recognized as being of very real importance to trade. In 1299 not only English merchants but also "the maritime people of Genoa, Catalonia, Spain, Germany, Zeeland, Holland, Fresia, Denmark, Norway and several other places of the Empire" declared that Kings of England had from time immemorial been in "peaceable possession of the sovereign lord ship of the seas of England," and had done "what was needful for the maintenance of peace, right and equity for the people of all sorts, whether subjects of another kingdom or not, who passed through those seas." (S. K. Laughton, "Sovereignty of the Seas," Fortnightly Review, August 1866.) "The English Sovereignty of the Seas" was not taken as authority to exact toll but a salute was expected as a form of acknowledgment of the more or less effective policing of the waters. But in the 17th century the Dutch objected to the
demand for this salute and insistence upon it was one of the causes of the war which ensued. In the end that nation acknowl edged by solemn treaty its obligation to render the salute, but the fact of the matter was that conditions had so changed that the whole system of "sovereignty of the seas" was out of date. There was not much piracy in the waters surrounding the British Isles and merchant vessels were generally able to look after them selves, while in the case of those belonging to other nations, their Governments always possessed means of affording the necessary protection. In 1805 Great Britain wisely gave up her claim to exact the salute, but the custom of dipping the ensign when passing still survives. British merchant shipping is in the habit of saluting British men of war in this fashion, doubtless in token of the protection which the latter afford them and as a mark of loyalty to the King's ships, and such salutes are promptly and punctiliously returned. Similarly warships of different nations passing each other are wont to salute mutually in like manner. Thus the old demand for recognition as the "sovereign of the seas" has now become a form of politeness which may be regarded as a "courtesy of the seas." (E. A.)