When you see the sign the ‘Cinque Ports’ have you ever thought what it really means? This talk tells the story of what lies behind the name. The five original Ports were Dover, Hastings, Hythe, Romney and Sandwich and the two ancient towns of Rye and Winchelsea were added later.

The story begins before 1066 when three original Ports provided ship-service to the Crown. This continued after the Norman Conquest when the Ports were called on first if the Crown needed ships for a military expedition either in these islands or the continent. The ships summoned were basically fishing and merchant vessels used to carry men, provisions and weapons. Some vessels known as cogs were adapted for specifically military use by the addition of fore-castles and stern-castles. Whilst the Ports could only supply a small part of the King’s needs for a military operation they were an essential initial marshalling point when vessels were required. Otherwise the Ports were centres of trade and commerce, but their presence on the south coast of England meant their expert knowledge in navigating the English Channel was essential to the King in times of war. The Portsmen throughout their history were an unruly lot and became notorious smugglers. Down the centuries the Ports have acquired a ceremonial role. Today the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is a purely honorary position whose holders have included some very notable people: the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother.