Four Seas

[L. Fr. guater meres; Lat. quatuor maria.] In English law. A term applied to the seas formerly considered as encompassing either the whole island of Great Britain, or England only. According to Selden, the four seas surrounding the whole island of Great Britain were, 1. the Western, called Vergivian, including the Irish and Scottish seas: 2. the Northern, the Scottish or North sea: 3. the Eastern, the German Ocean: and 4. the Southern, or British Channel. Seld. Mare Clans, lib.

2, c. 1.

But the extent of these seas has not been precisely limited. As to the four seas which encompassed England only, see Meadows' Obs. on the I>ominion of the Seas, 1 1, Seld. Mar. Claus. lib, 2, c.

31. Hargr. Co. Lilt. Note 116, lib. 2.

Britton mentions three seas; the sea of France, of Ireland and of Scotland, (la meer de Fraunce, de Irland ou de Escoce.) Britt. c.

123.

The term four seas is used in the books as a term of territorial limitation. Thus, a fine was said to bar all persons of fidl age, out of prison and of good memory, withid theybur seas the day it was levied.

4 Co. 125.

Within the four seas is as much as to say, within the jurisdiction of the king of England.

2 ImI. 253.