About the "Cinque Ports"

Eine kurze Abhandlung über die "Cinque Ports", ein Zusammenschluß von fünf Häfen an der englischen Kanalküste um England vor feindlichen Angriffen während des Mittelalters zu schützen. Dieser Artikel steht Ihnen auch zum Herunterladen als PDF im Download-Bereich zur Verfügung.

1. Introduction
   1.1. Sandwich
   1.2. Dover
   1.3. Hythe
   1.4. New Romney
   1.5. Hastings
   1.6. The Ancient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea
2. Associated Towns
   2.1. Deal & Ramsgate
   2.2. Lydd & Tenterden
   2.3. Folkestone, Faversham & Margate
3. Corporate & Non Corporate Members
4. Ancient Towns
5. Cinque Port Privileges
6. Personal Standard of the Warden of the Cinque Ports and Paying the Ship Money

1. Introduction

In Medieval times, the responsibility for the defense of the South East Coast and the Channel, fell to a Confederation of the five main ports at that time. These were, Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings, plus two other towns, Rye and Winchelsea. Their correct title is, The Cinque (pronounced 'sink') Ports and Two Ancient Towns. They supplied the Crown with ships and men, and in return were granted privileges. Overthe years there have been a varying number of member towns associated with them, called corporate and non corporate members, the present main associates can be seen on the map. The Great Storm of 1287 was the beginning of the end for many of the ports, it silted up harbours, blocked rivers, and submerged towns. Despite this, the Cinque Ports still retained their status and privileges, probably in recognition of their service to the Crown Fleet, but not necessarily their loyal support of the Crown! The people of the Ports were notoriously independent and tended to go their own way. Today, these towns are still known as the Cinque Ports, but the coastline has changed considerably over the centuries (see maps in the other sections) and only Dover remains as a major port. There was always an overall Warden of the Cinque Ports, and this tradition is still carried on today. Former Wardens include, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill. The present Lord Warden is Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

1.1. Sandwich

The town of Sandwich is now two miles from the sea. When it was at the height of it's power, between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, Sandwich Haven was a major port in England. It was the landing place for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury and travellers to London. According to the Cinque Port Charter of 1668, Fordwich was then a corporate member town, associated with Sandwich, and Deal a non corporate member. Deal grew to be a much busier port and took over Fordwich's position and is now the main associate. Sandwich only began to decline as a port in the sixteenth century, as the sea began to recede, and the Wantsum Channel silted up.

1.2. Dover

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. 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.

1.3. Hythe

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. Hythe is still a seaside resort and it has another claim to fame, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

1.4. New Romney

Today, New and Old Romney are small inland towns on the edge of Romney Marsh. NewRomney 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 as a Head Port, however, because it is situated between the Kent and Sussex ports, so was regarded as a suitable place for meetings.

1.5. Hastings

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. 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 no longer a port and the harbour no longer exists, but 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.

1.6. The Ancient Towns of Rye and 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. As with the other Cinque Ports, the sea eventually receded. Today, Rye and Winchelsea are no longer ports, but still retain their ancient character. The painting on the left, The Blind Girl: 1856 by John Everett Millais, shows a view of Winchelsea in the background.

2. Associated Towns

2.1. Deal & Ramsgate

Deal and Ramsgate are the Associate towns of Sandwich. Both are still coastal and, today, much bigger towns than their Head Cinque Port. The Official Residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is based at Walmer Castle, very close to the town of Deal. Deal also has it's own castle, both were built by Henry VIII.

2.2. Lydd & Tenterden

Lydd is the Associate town of New Romney, and Tenterden is the Associate of the Two Ancient Towns of Rye and Winchelsea. As can be seen on the maps, the Bay of Romney is now Romney Marsh, and Lydd is no longer on an island. Tenterden is now quite a few miles inland, but originally, it had it's own port of Smallhythe which had it's own shipyard and quay.

2.3. Folkestone, Faversham & Margate

These three towns are the Associates of Dover. Margate, like Ramsgate was on an island in medieval times and the area is still called the Isle of Thanet. King Steven,his wife and son are buried at Faversham, a town that still retains it's ancient character.

3. Corporate & Non Corporate Members

4. Ancient Towns

5. Cinque Port Privileges

1. Exemption from Tax and Tall.
2. Right to levy tolls.
3. Right to local self-government.
4. Authority to compel holders of stolen goods to divulge their source.
5. Authority to punish shedders of blood and seize those who fled from justice.
6. Authority to punish minor offences.
7. Power to detain and execute felons both inside and outside the Ports jurisdiction.
8. Authority to try breeches of the King's Peace.
9. Right to take lost or unclaimed goods after one year and one day.
10. Power to claim floating wreckage on the shore or goods thrown overboard.
11. Right to land at Great Yarmouth - a fishing port on the east coast - and to dry and mend nets and sell fish.

6. Personal Standard of the Warden of the Cinque Ports and Paying the Ship Money

There were other towns associated with the Cinque Ports who helped supply the ports with ships and crews, these were known as "Limbs". There used to be about 30 Limbs in Kent and one, Brightlingsea, in Essex, each limb was associated with a Head Port and came under it's jurisdiction Each Year a ceremony is held for receiving the allegiance of the three places still remaining as the Sandwich Limbs, Brightlingsea, Fordwich and Sarre. The elected Mayor Deputies also receive their chain of office. As a token of their allegiance, each Mayor Deputy pays "Ship Money" to the Mayor of Sandwich. The Mayor Deputy of Brightlingsea pays 10 shillings (50p), the Mayor Deputy of Fordwich pays 3 shillings and 4 pence (17p) and the Mayor Deputy of Sarre always pleads poverty because they are only a very small village. Today, of course these are just token payments, but the ceremony is always very well attended and entertaining.