Sandwich Cinque Port Coat of Arms - Sandwich, Kent, UK.
Posted by: 
MeerRescue
N 51° 16.499 E 001° 20.325
31U E 384124 N 5681715
The coat of arms of the Confederation of Cinque Ports displayed on the Guildhall at Sandwich, Kent, UK.
Waymark Code: WME7AJ
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/13/2012
Views: 3
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The Confederation of Cinque
Ports is a historic series
of coastal towns in Kent and
Sussex. It was originally formed for military and trade
purposes, but is now entirely ceremonial. It lies at the eastern end
of the English Channel,
where the crossing to the continent is narrowest. The name originates
in Norman French, meaning "five ports", which are: Hastings - New
Romney - Hythe - Dover and Sandwich. Other towns (see below) also
contributed to the Confederation, including two 'Ancient Towns' of Rye
and Winchelsea.
As well as the 5 ports and 2 Ancient Towns, the other 7 members of the
Confederation are known as 'Limbs' - these are; Lydd (Limb of new
Romney) Folkestone, Margate and Faversham (Limbs of Dover), Ramsgate
(Limb of Sandwich) and Tenterden (Limb of Rye).
A Royal Charter by King Henry II in 1155 establishing the
Confederation of Cinque Ports required them to maintain ships and
supply 57 ships for 15 days annually for the defence of the Realm. In
return all the towns within the Confederation were granted the
following privileges;
"Exemption from tax and tallage,
right of soc
and sac, tol
and team, blodwit
and fledwit, pillory
and tumbril, infangentheof
and outfangentheof, mundbryce, waifs
and strays, flotsam
and jetsam and ligan"
It meant "Exemption from tax and tolls; self-government; permission to
levy tolls, punish those who shed blood or flee justice, punish minor
offences, detain and execute criminals both inside and outside the
port's jurisdiction, and punish breaches of the peace; and possession
of lost goods that remain unclaimed after a year, goods thrown
overboard, and floating wreckage."
The five head ports and two ancient towns were entitled to send two
Members to Parliament.
A Lord
Warden of the Cinque Ports was
appointed, and also held the title of Constable
of Dover Castle,
and whilst this office exists today, it is now a purely honorary
title, with an official residence at Walmer
Castle, Kent, UK.