The old Port of Haverfordwest has a long history of sea-trading, much of it with Bristol.

Town records dating from the early fifteenth century contain a letter from Bristol to the town of Harforde. Written in French itdetailsmalpractice on the part of Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere, who had been Constable at Bristol for a number of years.

Irregularities had been discovered in the custom duties Sir Bartholomew had been exacting from merchants, including Harforde merchants, using the Port of Bristol.The letter requested that Haverfordwest should bring this matter to the attention of the King.

Towards the end of the sixteenth century the quay fell into a very bad state of repair and for many years nothing was done about it. By 1616, its condition was so perilous that the burgesses were called to account at the Great Sessions.

As there was no fund set aside for maintenance, the quay had to be repaired as cheaply as possible.

By using voluntary labour, a sum of eight pounds nine shillings was saved, leaving a deficit of fifty pounds which was needed to complete the work.

It was decided to raise this money by imposing a rate on the town. The Mayor and Corporation had great difficulty securing the money and were censured by the Chief Justice at the Great Sessions of 1624.