Cinque Ports, Medieval maritime confederation in Kent and Sussex, England
Cinque Ports is a confederation of five coastal towns in Kent and Sussex: Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich, which together formed a maritime alliance. The member towns lie along the southeast coast of England and preserve their medieval structures and harbor facilities to this day.
The confederation formed in the 11th century when English kings granted the ports privileges in exchange for ships and crews for defense. This arrangement continued into the 16th century, when larger royal naval fleets took over the role the ports once held.
The Lord Warden title continues to be granted and carries ceremonial duties at Dover Castle, keeping the maritime past visible in modern life. This tradition also appears in local festivals and events that honor the historic role these ports once played.
The five towns lie within a drive of about 50 miles (80 km) along the coast and can be visited in one or several days. Walking paths connect some of the locations and offer views of the sea along with access to historic buildings and museums.
Each port supplied a set number of ships with full crews for 15 days per year to the English Crown, totaling 57 vessels. This form of maritime service replaced other dues and taxes and bound the towns closely to royal defense.
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