The Cinque Ports of Dover, Hythe, New Romney, and Hastings.
Originally, the Cinque Ports were a confederation of five harbours, Sandwich, Romney, Dover, Hythe, and Hastings plus the two Ancient Towns of Rye & Winchelsea.
These were grouped together, for defense purposes, by Edward the Confessor. They supplied the Crown with ships and men.
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Other Cinque Ports:Dover
Dover still stands as a major port,mainly using the Eastern Docks, although the Channel Tunnel is now a major competitor as regards freight and passengers on their way to and from France.
In the past, Hythe had important status as a Head Cinque Port. The Shepway Cross beside the Hythe to Lympne Road, was the traditional meeting place of the Shepway Court. This was made up of the Barons of the Cinque Ports and the Lord Warden. West Hythe was an important harbour, but like so many of the Cinque Port towns, the sea receded and the harbour silted up. Today, Hythe's beach is about half a mile from the town. New Romney
New Romney is not really 'new', it acquired its name in the thirteenth century, when the wharf at Old Romney deteriorated. New Romney used to stand in the Bay of Romney - the medieval coastline can be seen on the map. In 1287 there was a great storm which caused mud to block the River Rother. The river changed course and flowed, instead, to Rye. As a result, Rye prospered, but New Romney never really recovered. It retained its importance as a Head Port, however, because it is situated between the Kent and Sussex ports, so was regarded as a suitable place for meetings. Hastings
In the twelth century, Hastings was supplying twenty ships to the Crown Fleet, but when Edward I's Charter of 1278, was drawn up , the harbour was already beginning to silt up. The Great Storm of 1287 added to its difficulties, and the next few centuries were spent in continual struggle with the receding sea. Today, it is still a coastal town, full of history and on the cliffs can be seen the remains of the Norman castle, built after the Conquest |
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In the past, Dover received a great deal of Royal support, probably more than the other Cinque Ports. For example, in Henry VIII 's time, an embankment was built as a barrier to the sea and wind.When these defenses were later damaged by the sea, Elizabeth I built a new harbour.
Hythe
Today, New and Old Romney are small inland towns on the edge of Romney Marsh.
At the time of the Norman Conquest, in 1066, Hastings was a flourishing port, and continued to be so for the next two hundred years.