Little is known of the origins of the Town, as the written history only commences in the 11th century. Rye is not named in the Doomsday Book, although there is little doubt that she was the new borough referred to within the book.

Edward the Confessor, realising the defensive importance of the ports on the south-east coast, obtained from them a yearly service of ships in return for certain privileges. Thus the confederacy of the Five Ports [Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich] or as they are more generally known, the Cinque Ports were born in 1191. Each of the Five Ports had other places or limbs added to them. Rye and Winchelsea were recognised as limbs of Hastings.

As a consequence of the growth of Rye and Winchelsea and the decline of Hastings, they overtook their Head Port and became Head Ports themselves in the 14th century.

However, not as you might think, the name of the Confederation was not altered from the Five Ports to The Seven Ports but continued under the title of the Five Ports and Two Antient - worthy of veneration - Towns

Castle of La Rye - Ypres Tower

The Castle dates from 1249, originally called the Baddings Tower after the the name of the ward in which it stood. Its active life as the main defender of Rye came to an end after the French raid of 1377, when they extensively damaged the Church and stole the bells

The Ypres Tower now houses the towns museum. In 1942, the adjacent buildings and the tower's pyramidal tile roof was destroyed in an air raid.

Church of St Mary the Virgin

The Church was built between the years 1150 and 1300, however, it was badly damaged in the French raid of 1377, when its bells were also stolen - these were recovered the following year - .

In the 15th century it was largely rebuilt with flying buttresses to strengthen the walls, a third was added in Victorian times.

Augustinian Friary

The Augustinian Friary was built in the late 14th century, however, like many Monastery, Friaries, Churches etc, it was dissolved by Henry VIII and sold to Thomas Goodwyn in 1545.

Wesleyan Chapel

John Wesley frequently visited Rye between 1758 and 1790, and he had great respect for the people of Rye. However, it is interesting to note that he wrote in his diary in 1773, "they do many things gladly: but they will not part with the accursed thing, smuggling".

'Mermaid Inn'

The Inn, which was was all but rebuilt in 1530 still retains a medieval barrel-vaulted cellar. It is said that Elizabeth 1 stayed there in 1573, however, very little is known of her visit, other than it must have been very pleasant: for in consequence of of 'the noble Entertainment she had, accompanied with the Testimonies of Love and Loyalty, Duty and Reverence she received from the People was pleased to call it 'Rye Royal'.

The inn has strong smuggling links and in the 18th century was much use by the notorious 'Hawkhurst Gang'. they could be seen "seated at the windows ...carousing and smoking their pipes, with loaded pistols lying on the table before them, no magistrate daring to interfere with them".

Peacocke's School

Thomas Peacocke school was built and founded in 1636 as a free school 'for the better Educating and Breeding of Youth there, in good Literature'. It was here that Thackeray's Denis Duval attended and 'therein learned to to speak English like a Briton born...'

In 1720 another free school was founded - Sanders - for instructing 'the poor children ... to read in English, and write, and cast up accounts, and to teach and instruct them in the art of navigation'.

Rye Station

February 13th 1851 the railway came to Rye. The line from Ashford to Hastings was opened in 1850 by the Lord Mayor of London. He and his retinue had traveled free of charge by special train to Rye having been 'invited by the Mayor and Corporation of Rye to partake of the hospitality of the ancient Port'

In 1854 The Rye Harbour branch of the railway was opened.

The Strand Quay

The Strand Quay is the site of the quay in Tudor times.