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===The Coat of Arms===
===The Coat of Arms===

The Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports first appeared in 1305, second amongst the earliest English known heraldic emblums, predating even the coat of arms of the city of London.

[http://www.briantimms.com/chf/01introduction.htm A Background to Heraldry].

The Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports displays a controversial image in heraldry, employing three ships hulls and three Lions passant guardant con-joined to these hulls, all in gold. These may originally have been ''Gules three lions passant gardant in pale Or'' (for England) dimidiating ''Gules three ships' hulks in pale Or''.
The Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports displays a controversial image in heraldry, employing three ships hulls and three Lions passant guardant con-joined to these hulls, all in gold. These may originally have been ''Gules three lions passant gardant in pale Or'' (for England) dimidiating ''Gules three ships' hulks in pale Or''.


Revision as of 10:39, 30 September 2004

It is a widely held view that the confederation of the Cinque Ports was established long before 1066, but no exact date can be found.

In late Anglo-Saxon times the threat of Viking invasion was a constant problem. England ultimately was ruled by the Danish king Cnut (Canute) but after his death the Anglo-Saxon, Edward the Confessor took steps to prevent any further such occupations. "The key to the security of the realm as Edward saw it was to control the English Channel. To this end he granted the ports of Sandwich, Dover, and New Romney, all in Kent, the right to keep all legal fees assigned in court cases".

The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was originally in charge of the Cinque Ports. Today the role is largely a sinecure but does confer the right to fly a unique standard (see below). The Lord Warden was solely responsible for the return of all writs to the Crown, along with the collection of taxes and the arrest of criminals.

"Through his court held in the church of St James below Dover castle he exercised jurisdiction broadly equivalent to that of chancery (and commonly referred to as such within the Cinque Ports" .... (with a) "lieutenant's powers of muster, his constableship of Dover castle furnished him with a garrison and imposing accommodation for his staff, led by the clerk and the lieutenant of the castle."

Background of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports

Formally, in Kent there are five 'Head Ports' making up the Confederation of the Cinque Ports. The primary Corporate Members are represented by the ports of Hastings, New Romney Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich. They are supported by the two 'ancient towns' of Rye and Winchelsea, whose councils have held a long standing tradition of maintaining defence contingents for the realm of England. Edward the king granted the citizens of the Cinque Ports special privileges, including the right to bring goods into the country without paying import duties in return the Ports would supply him with men and ships in time of war. The associated ports, known as 'limbs', were given the same privileges.

The town of Hastings was the head port of the Cinque Ports in medieval times. The seven other members of the Cinque Ports Confederation are called 'Limbs' of the Cinque Ports. These are Lydd (Limb of New Romney), Folkestone, Faversham and Margate (Limbs of Dover), Deal and Ramsgate (Limbs of Sandwich) and Tenterden (Limb of Rye). There are in addition some 23 towns, villages and offices which have varying degrees of connection to the ancient 'Liberties of the Cinque Ports'. Pevensey was once a Limb of Hastings, and the 'coastal confederation' and during its mediæval period consisted of a confederation of 42 towns in all.

File:Flag of the Cinque Ports.jpg
Flag of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports (flagspot.net)- Copyright permission granted to wikipedia from Rob Raeside: (Director) - Flags of the World, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports first appeared in 1305, second amongst the earliest English known heraldic emblums, predating even the coat of arms of the city of London.

A Background to Heraldry.

The Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports displays a controversial image in heraldry, employing three ships hulls and three Lions passant guardant con-joined to these hulls, all in gold. These may originally have been Gules three lions passant gardant in pale Or (for England) dimidiating Gules three ships' hulks in pale Or.

The Coat of Arms of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports are set out on a red and blue background and traditionally represents the 14 'Corporate' Members.

This ancient alliance is best illustrated in the detail of the 'Speakers Badge' with its 14 diamond stars framing the Coat of Arms of the Cinque Ports in this instance set in enamel on a base of white and yellow gold.

Creation and Appointment of the Lord Warden

The creation and appointment of the Lord Warden, once the most powerful appointment of the realm, by the Monarch was instituted principally after the portsmen sided with Simon de Montfort (Earl of Leicester) against Henry III, in the Barons' war and was intended to provide some central authority over the Cinque Ports, which were essentially otherwise independent of the kings sheriffs, the ancient 'Barony' now an honorary title, was also combined with the office of the Constable of Dover Castle. However from 1708 Walmer Castle at Deal was to be preferred as the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The Lord Warden is also referred to as 'Admiral of the Cinque Ports' with a maritime jurisdiction extending to mid Channel, from Redcliffe near Seaford, in Sussex to 'Shoe Beacon' in Essex.

The courts of 'Brodhull' and 'Guestling' were established to protect the privileges of the Cinque Ports by the portsmen themselves. From the 15th Century these courts had been largely replaced by the Lord Warden's Court at Dover. From the 16th Century the principal business of the courts was the installation the Lord Warden and is now only occasionally summoned.

At the installation of a new Lord Warden, the 'Speaker' of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports to this day still instructs the Lord Warden: "to undertake the duties of the Ancient and Honorable Office and to uphold the Franchises, Liberties, Customs and Usage's of the port."

The office of 'Speaker' has traditionally rotated between the affiliate townships each and every year dating from at least from the year 1550. Inaugurations are begun on the 21st of May, and membership is ordained through a long standing maritime tradition of a principal of 'the prevailing winds' coming from from west to east.

The title is one of the higher honours bestowed by the British Monarch (Currently the queen Elizabeth II). It is generally reserved for members of the British royal family or prime ministers especially those who have been influential in defending Britain at times of war.

The Confederation of the Cinque Ports became so powerful in relation to the state, they were almost able to act independent from it. In 155O the mayor and jurats of Dover refused to accept a royal writ because it was not accompanied by a letter of attendance from the lord warden. The member ports parliamentary representatives, were appointed by the Lord Warden at first, this influence remained until the 19th century.

All Freeman of the Ports originally held the title "Baron of the Cinque Ports". The traditional title, which bears no relationship with those lords in command of castles, otherwise refered to as Barons is now reserved for Freeman elected by the Mayor, Jurats, and Common Council of the Ports to attend a Coronation, also now only in an honorary capacity.

The position of Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports is the most ancient military honour available in England. 'Of the 158 holders of the office, only three have to date been commoners'.

List of Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports

The first authoritative list of Cinque Ports Confederation Members was produced in 1293 when Stephen of Pencester was Warden. The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is appointed for life, but in the earliest of records this was not the case. The office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports has be traced from the year 1226 from the appointment William de Averanch, although he was not the first incumbant of this office. The longest term of office was that of William Brook, Lord Cobham, who presided at the court for 40 years.

(Note: incomplete: 158)

12th Century

13th Century

14th Century

15th Century

16th Century

17th century

18th Century

19th Century

20th Century


21st Century

At this time the post is held in Royal prerogative. There are still situations in which the monarch may choose to exercise his or her Royal Prerogative independently from the elected politicians. Such situations are extremely rare, and only under special circumstance, such as it may prove to be with the appointment of any further Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

It is expected to be some time before the British Isles are again threatened from state-sponsored invasion. Yet after two years of mourning the Queen Mother (last Lord Warden of the 20th century), during a time of war, the appointment of Admiral Lord Boyce indicates something of the importance still attached to the post, even against modern political reforms.

Further reading

  • Brentnall, Margaret. The Cinque ports and Romney Marsh. London, 1972.

References

  • Body, Edward (1992). The Cinque Ports and Lords Warden: a history in verse and prose. Kent Messenger.
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