Common questions about Cinque Ports

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What is the Cinque Ports confederation and when did it begin?

The Cinque Ports confederation began as a bargain between the Crown and coastal towns during the reign of Edward the Confessor in the late 11th century. The towns of Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich were granted local profits of justice in exchange for providing ships to the king. By 1135, the term Cinque Ports had come into use, and in 1155 a royal charter established the ports to maintain ships ready for the Crown in case of need.

Which towns are included in the Cinque Ports confederation and what are the Ancient Towns?

The original five head ports of the Cinque Ports are Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich. Two further towns joined the confederation by 1190, known as the Ancient Towns, which are Winchelsea and Rye. These Ancient Towns were granted the same rights and privileges as the head ports, including the right to send two Members to Parliament.

What is the role of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and where is the official residence?

The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is the chief officer of the confederation, responsible for overseeing the ship service and maintaining the rights and privileges of the ports. The office is frequently combined with that of Constable of Dover Castle and has an official residence at Walmer Castle. The Lord Warden is also responsible for the administration of the courts of Shepway and Brodhull.

How did the Cinque Ports decline and when did the Yarmouth service end?

The decline of the Cinque Ports was caused by natural causes such as the silting of harbours and the withdrawal of the sea, as well as political changes and the development of new major ports. The Yarmouth service was suspended indefinitely in 1663, and thereafter both the Brotherhood and the Guestling fell into decline. By the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Cinque Ports had effectively ceased to be of any great significance.

What are the White Book and Black Book of the Cinque Ports and where are they held?

The White Book covers the years 1432 to 1571 and the Black Book covers the years 1572 to 1955, serving as the primary sources for understanding the history of the Cinque Ports. The White and Black Books were held at New Romney until 1960, when they were transferred to the Kent Archives Office, now the Kent History and Library Centre, in Maidstone. A comprehensive calendar of the two books was published in 1966.

Read the full story about Cinque Ports →