Ancient Towns of Rye & Winchelsea

Before 1247, Rye and Winchelsea belonged to a French monastry. Henry III decided this could be dangerous, so he negotiated an exchange of lands and the towns became Crown property.

The Great Storm of 1287 submerged Old Winchelsea but changed the course of the River Rother from Romney to Rye.

Rye prospered and continued to provide ships for the Crown Fleet for the next few hundred years. In 1573, Queen Elizabeth I was so impressed with the port, she gave it the title, Rye Royal.

Old Winchelsea, which was prospering before the storm, was eventually rebuilt on higher ground. When the new town of Winchelsea was created by Edward I following the destruction of the old town in a great storm in 1287, it was intended to be much larger than it eventually turned out. This is demonstrated by the town's New Gate, which stands out in the fields about half a mile from the town.

As with the other Cinque Ports, the sea eventually receded. Today, Rye and Winchelsea are no longer major ports, but still retain their ancient character.

Information from the Sandwich History Society publications & archives - New Gate Winchelsea photo & info on this page from www.geograph.org.uk - copyright Ron Strutt under the Creative Commons License

History Pages:

• Introduction
• Origin of the Sandwich
• The Cinque Ports
• Past & Present Photos
• Old Pubs & Inns
• Historic Churches
• Richborough
• People & History
• Ancient Traditions
• Ancient Hospitals
• First Mayors
• 13th Century Election
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• Good Ship Hercules
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