Swann Gallery - History of Rye

Rye is a fortified Cinque Port Town surrounded by steep cliffs. It's history can be traced back to before the Norman Conquest, when as a small fishing community it was almost surrounded by the sea bustling with merchants, sailors, pirates and smugglers. Although the sea retreated from Rye and now lies 2 miles from the town and sheep graze where the waves once broke on the beach, the town is still encircled by 3 rivers (Rother, Brede and the Tillingham) ,and retains much of its maritime atmosphere and evokes the feel of the island it once was. Its position on a narrow neck of land with the wide estuaries of the Tillingham and the Rother Rivers on each side was significant. It could watch over the surrounding Romney Marsh, and as a port, it guarded the land from foreign invasion.

Rye was designated as a Cinque Port in 1336. Cinque Ports were an ancient confederation of harbours used for defence by Edward the Confessor. Rye supplied ships for the navy, but the harbour began silting up in the late 1300’s and by 1600 the silting was severe. Today the harbour is 2 miles away.

Its 18th century cobbled streets wind up and down and unexpectedly produce breathtaking views of Romney Marsh and its 16th century houses and historic fortifications have been faithfully preserved and restored.

Rye’s isolated beauty has always provided inspiration for craftsmen, painters, writers, actors and musicians and photographers amongst them the novelist Henry James who lived in Lamb House, E.F.Benson whose followers created the Tillington society who meet once a year and numerous artists such as Paul Nash. These days several well known household names in the music and film industry retain houses in the citadel such as Paul and his step daughter Mary McCartney and Johnny Depp.