New Mariner’s Mirror Podcast mini series ‘Tales from the Cinque Ports’

Institution News

30 Jun

The Society of Nautical Research are delighted to be producing, alongside long-term partners at the Lloyds Register Foundation, a new ‘mini-series’ of episodes for the Mariner’s Mirror Podcast in collaboration with the Cinque Ports confederation.

In the eleventh century during the reign of Edward the Confessor, five ports in the south-east of England joined together into a confederation for mutual protection and trade privileges. Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich were the original five ports; they were subsequently joined by Lydd, Faversham, Folkestone, Deal, Tenterden, Margate and Ramsgate which became known as ‘Limbs’ of the Cinque Ports; and then Rye and Winchelsea, designated as ‘Ancient Towns’. In this series we explore some of the individual towns that make up the confederation, to get a sense of their intriguing past and dynamic present.

The nominal head of the Cinque Ports was given the title of ‘Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports’ and became one of the most influential people in the Kingdom. Over time the position has retained its significance and has often been held by members of the Royal Family and Prime Ministers. Although the Lord Warden plays a central role in maintaining the legacy of the Cinque Ports it is also the communities that make up the confederation today that are ensuring that its heritage is not forgotten.

To find out more, Dr Sam Willis explores the deep history of the Cinque Ports and speaks to those who keep the history of these unique places alive. Traveling across the south east coast of England he meets with archaeologists, historians, former and current mayors, town tour guides, clerks and parishioners to understand what makes these places not just important to British maritime historians but so special to those that live and work in such historic environments.

Episodes

Introduction

https://snr.org.uk/the-mariners-mirror-podcast/the-cinque-ports/

This episode is the first of a series on the history of the Cinque Ports in which we bring you a mixture of fascinating history alongside a glimpse into contemporary life in these vibrant and ancient maritime towns. Dr Sam Willis explores the deep history of the Cinque Ports with archaeologist and historian Dr Andrew Richardson and also speaks with Sue Jones, former Mayor of Dover and twice Speaker of the Cinque Ports. We also bring you along for a very special day at the Royal Military School in Dover to witness the installation of the new Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

Tales from the Cinque Ports: Faversham

https://snr.org.uk/the-mariners-mirror-podcast/tales-from-the-cinque-ports-faversham/

This episode takes us to Faversham, nestled up the swale estuary in east Kent. Faversham was associated with the Cinque Ports from that group’s earliest days – we know that the town’s Barons were granted all the liberties of the ports as early as 1302. Today it is a fabulous place to enjoy maritime heritage: you can see the preservation of maritime skills and trades in creek-side sites and celebrate the restoration of historic ships & boats. All around are constant reminders that Faversham was a proud independent town and yet intimately linked with the Crown. To find out more Dr Sam Willis met up with past mayor, Trevor Martin, and Councillor Josh Rowlands, both brimming with stories of their town.

Tales from the Cinque Ports: Tenterden

https://snr.org.uk/the-mariners-mirror-podcast/tales-from-the-cinque-ports-tenterden/

This episode continues our series on the Cinque Ports, an ancient confederation of towns in southeast England that provided ships and men to the crown in return for special powers and privileges. They have since become rightly dubbed as the cradle of the Royal Navy. This episode brings us to the lovely town of Tenterden, which joined the Cinque Ports confederation in 1449 supplying ships and men against French raiders. Nearby was the important port of Small Hythe, once a bustling and thriving shipbuilding centre before environmental change dramatically altered the landscape. Recent archaeological investigation has hinted at the scale of maritime industry that was once here, and a visit to Tenterden shows just how wealthy and significant this town once was.

More about the Podcast

The Mariner’s Mirror is the world’s No.1 podcast dedicated to all of maritime and naval history. With one foot in the present and one in the past we bring you the most exciting and interesting current maritime projects worldwide: including excavations of shipwrecks, the restoration of historic ships, sailing classic yachts and tall ships, unprecedented behind the scenes access to exhibitions, museums and archives worldwide, primary sources and accounts that bring the maritime past alive as never before. The Podcast is produced by the Society for Nautical Research with the support of the Lloyds Register Foundation and is presented by Dr Sam Willis.