Rye is a "cute little village" 08/19/2023

 Today our travels took us to the small village of Rye.  Not so much a history search, but Amanda and Linda wanted to visit a cute town and go shopping.  While they were shopping, Harry and I took a journey through Rye history.

In its early history, Rye was a seaside town. It was a fully functioning harbor and was the first port of call when any intruders sailed from Europe. By the 16th century the sea had receded. Rye was separated by a marsh and the sea was two miles away.  I am thinking that climate change caused this.  But while Rye was a seaport, it was subjected to invasions, smuggling, floods, and more invasions. Rye was the closet seaport to France. The Romans used the Rye location when bringing  their supplies to England.  France and Spain attacked Rye on a regular basis.  In 1377 the French attacked the town, set it on fire, and stole the bells from Saint Mary's Church.  The men of Rye wanted revenge and their bells back, so they went to France and were sucessful in recovering the bells.

As Rye's use as a seaport waned, smuggling increased.  Harry and I stopped in at the Olde Bell Pub. Amanda and Linda knew where to find us when they were through shopping.  I did not know this at the time, but the Olde Bell Pub was used by the Hawkhurst gang ( a prominent criminal organization in the 1700's) that engaged in smuggling and mayhem.  The Olde Bell has quite a history of its own.  It was built in 1390 and is the oldest pub in Rye.

We returned to Canterbury at the end of the day and went back to the Cathedral for the Saturday night service.  This service is called the Evensong. Beautiful music.  I could not understand everything the Priest said, but I got the message.

After the church service, we capped our evening with gelato.

Did I mention that Linda and Amanda went into an antique store where Amanda got an antique silver tongs and Linda bought a set of Bohemian wine glasses?

Saint Mary's Church

Saint Mary's Church

Rye Street

Ye Olde Bell Pub

Life in prison

Landgate information

My college room mate(Terry) had a car like this

Rye street scene

Rye castle, also used as prison

Rye Street Scene

Rye City Gate

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