Category: Rye History

400 Years Ago Today

400 years ago today    – – –  11th. August 1573

Oyez, oyez, oyez! The whole population of Rye has been in a ferment of excitement for the last three days starting with the arrival of Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the Postern Gate of the town—White Friars Hill by the new Conduit—at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday night 11th August until her departure for Ashford at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning, the 13th August, en route for Dover. Continue reading 400 Years Ago Today

Last Rye Borough Mayoring Day

 

By Chris Davson

A note of sadness tinged the annual ceremonies at Rye this year to mark the institution for the coming year for the last executive Mayor of Rye. Even the weather shed a gentle drizzle which kept the crowds of spectators to a minimum and damped the ardours of the schoolchildren patiently waiting for their chance to catch hot pennies from the windows. Continue reading Last Rye Borough Mayoring Day

Rye at War – Part Two

Rye at War

Part Two — In The Front Line

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

The Queen’s Visit to Rye

EDITORIAL…

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

Summary History Part Three

A Summary History Of Rye

Part Ill—The Seventeenth Century

by Rya

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