Rye Castle Museum

 The Cinque Ports Confederation  dates back to the 11th Century, during the reign of Edward the Confessor.  It was started by the ports Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich for mutual protecton and trade.  Edward  gave official recognition by granting a Royal Charter which was later confirmed by William the Conqueror . Rye and Winchelsea became ’limbs’ … read more

Congratulations to the Ryesingers on their 40th Anniversay ! In their honour we have put together a display of posters and other items from their 40 years of singing.  The photograph, taken in Rye Castle/Ypres Tower, shows four founder-members, Lesley Brownbill, (conductor),  Jo Kirkham, Susan Manktelow, and Carole Osborne. The Ryesingers have been loyal supporters of the … read more

The Cross of Sacrifice display at the Ypres Tower Among the recent additions to the Ypres Tower displays is the model for the Cross of Sacrifice which Sir Reginald Blomfield (1856-1942) designed for the Imperial War Museum to commemorate soliders who lost their lives in the Ypres Salient during WWI.   but have no marked graves.  … read more

There have been many writers in Rye over the centuries but it was from the late nineteenth century onwards that writers came to live in the town. By then it was more accessible because of the railway and it was seen as an unspoilt place of great charm. Henry James’ decision to live in Rye … read more

Eight Centuries of History The Gun Garden adjacent to the Ypres Tower What we now know as Ypres Tower (13th century)  was the sole defence of Rye   until  Edward III gave successive grants for the building of stone walls and gates.    Even these additional defences were found wanting when the French attacked in 1339 and … read more

Temperance as a mass movement originated in the early 19th century. In 1829 a Belfast professor of theology made the gesture of pouring his stock of whiskey out of his window and this may have been the inspiration for two of Rye’s many drinkers, J W Crosse & P E F Berry, to write the … read more

Benson’s Sense of Humour For the main Benson articles click here. This recipe was contributed by E F Benson, Mayor of Rye to the book A Cargo of Recipes:  Procure a small piece of glass (any broken window will serve) about 1 inch square. Pound this in a mortar till its consistency is of the finest … read more

There are many more writers who lived locally,  visited regularly and/or wrote about Rye and the surrounding area than we have told about so far.  Here are lists of some of them.   How many do you know about? MORE WRITERS WHO LIVED IN AND AROUND RYE (e.g. Winchelsea, Fairlight, Pett, Hastings, Romney Marsh) BURNETT,  Francis … read more

Please note that this article is in progress.  There is much to add. Arrangement is roughly in order of reader ages from nursery to adult. The date are those of  first publication.  Some have gone through many editions/revisions/reprintings since. Rumer Godden,  A KINDLE OF KITTENS.  Pan MacMillan Children’s Books 1978. Both the words and the illustrations … read more

Catch up here on Events,  Opening Hours and Additions at our two sites, the Museum Website,  Book News,  Opening Hours,  The Women’s Tower Project and Volunteer Opportunities….. Keep scrolling down as there is lots to see.   cNews Flash Success!  St Mary’s Ledgers Saved for Rye!!   Rye Castle Museum and St Mary’s Parish Church are delighted to … read more