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Show Historic English Ports The Cinque ports were originally five seaport towns on t lie coast of Kent nnd Sussex. England, called in early times "the five most Important havens In the kingdom." They were enfranchised by Edward the Confessor. Confes-sor. William the Conquerer subsequently subse-quently granted them the privilege of an almost Independent state, under command of a warden, with a court at Dover castle. The five ports were Sandwich, Dover, fly the, Komney nnd Hastings. WInchelsea and Rye were added later. Dp to the reign of Henry VII thHr chief function was the sup-. sup-. 1 !y of the country's naval contingent. D;iii"g from the revolution of 1GSS their privileges were gradually abolished, abol-ished, the brd warden's Jurisdiction ceasing In li.'. |