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Prior to the Norman Conquest, King Edward
the Confessor had contracted the five most important Channel ports
of that day to provide ships and men "for the service of the
monarch" and although this was frequently as a "cross-Channel ferry
service", it was not exclusively so. Under the Norman kings this
became the essential means of keeping the two halves of their realm
together, but after the loss of Normandy in 1205, their ships (the
for-runners of the Royal Navy) suddenly became England's first line
of defence against the French.
Today the Cinque Ports have only a ceremonial
role, but a base for the Lord Warden of the Ports is still provided
at Walmer Castle and new Lords Warden are always installed at
Dover.
Every member of the Confederation, together with
their Limbs, is situated in Kent or Sussex, apart from
Brightlingsea which, as a Limb of Sandwich, uniquely lies in
Essex. |