CINQUE PORTS
The Cinque Ports, pronounced ‘sink’ in this context, rather than ‘sank’, were a group of coastal towns in south-east England amalgamated by Edward the Confessor in the mid 11th century. Their role was to provide the monarch with ships and armies. In return, they were granted tax exemptions, free trading rights and judicial privileges. The ports capitalised liberally on these rights, and smuggling was rife. The original five harbours were Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings. Faversham was incorporated as a ‘limb’ of Dover in the 13th century. The towns played a pivotal role in conveying soldiers to war in Europe, but by the end of the 16th century, their importance had waned. Several of the ports had silted up, and the changing nature of warfare required a permanent national naval force.