Great changes took place in the marshes from 1250 onwards, but as yet the town of old Winchelsea was apparently not threatened. Matthew Paris, the thirteenth century chronicler, described damage done by the sea in 1250 and 1252 to the neighbourhood of the port, but the town as such appears to have escaped harm. Continue reading Smeaton’s Harbour
The English fleet lay at anchor in the lagoon that stretched from the foot of the hill on which New Winchelsea is built to the cliffs of Rye. The forty or so Cinque Ports built ships were a hive of activity, preparations for battle were well under way. Word had come that a great force of Spanish ships were passing along the Kent coast having come from Sluys in Belgium where they had loaded their ships with many men and materials with which to effect raids on England. Continue reading The Battle of Rye Bay
All organisations derive great benefit and incentive when they have a figurehead to look to or to look back upon. Continue reading Captain Cory’s Own
Early June 1944 was an optimistic period for the people of Rye and England. Here on the southern coast great armies were massing in preparation for the invasion of Hitler’s Europe. Continue reading Rye at War
In 1861 H. P. Clark’s printing office in the High Street issued “Clark’s Guide and History of Rye,” a small volume of great interest to the local historian for much that is recorded therein is not to be found elsewhere. Written in a witty and amusing style, often interspersed with verse, the author revealed probably far Continue reading The Printing Reformer
In August and September of 1940 Ryers had a grandstand seat for the greatest air battle in history, the “Battle of Britain” that was raging in the skies overhead.
The town suffered another serious bombing attack on October 9th, 1940 when 18 50 kilo bombs were dropped, doing extensive damage.
In September the invasion threat was at its height, it seemed certain that the Germans would attempt an invasion at any minute. With the idea in mind that a man would fight harder defending his own home town the Rye company of the Home Guard was allotted the positions on the town side of the river, along the Continue reading Rye at War – Part Two
William Holloway was born on 1st August, 1785 at Emsworth in Hampshire of a merchant family. At the age of seven he was sent to Midhurst Grammar School, where he received a good classical education as well as a certain amount of Continue reading Summary History of Rye 16
This is a very special “Rye’s Own.” On October 28th an event of almost unprecedented importance happened to the Ancient Cinque Port Town of Rye—Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, paid an official visit to our ancient borough. Continue reading The Queen’s Visit to Rye
Rye, at the opening of the seventeenth century, still boasted an almost intact town wall, except on the eastern side: the battery in the Gungarden still possessed some guns, although the majority had been sent away at the time of the Armada. The harbour, on which the prosperity of the town so much depended, continued to deteriorate and was, consequently, a constant source of anxiety to the corporation. Although no foreign invader was to set foot in the town again all was not well, for the monarchy was on the verge of bankruptcy. “Though God hath Continue reading Summary History Part Three
On 6th October an important event took place on Mason Field at Ferry Road. The foundation stone for the new block of flats being built for the old people of the town was laid by Mrs. H. J. Wood, wife of the late Mr. H. J. Wood our Town Clerk for nine years. Continue reading First Stone is Layed
