Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The late Saxon town of Hythe may have been at its present site circa 1036 with west Hythe being the first Saxon port, and then with the retreat of the coastline, the move to Hythe. In 1400 a fire destroyed over two hundred houses, and it was even suggested that the town would be abandoned. Hythe was once a cinque port. Lambarde writing circa 1570 says that the sea spoilt the harbour and obliterated much of the town, which used to stretch for two miles with four parish churches. Since circa 1900 Hythe has grown again as a retirement centre.

Monument Types

• TOWN (TOWN, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Post Medieval - 410 AD to 1540 AD)

Full description

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TR 160346. The late Saxon town of Hythe may have been at its present site c. 1036. It was, in any case, doing ship service and enjoying special royal privilages at this time. Hythe could have been a secondary development, with West Hythe being the first Saxon port, and then with the retreat of the coastline, the move to Hythe. The area of its liberty stretched from Sandtun, nearly to Folkestone, and between the C11 and C13, the town was flourishing. By the end of the medieval period, the urban area had shrunk to the area around St Leonard's, but this was mainly due to plague and the silting of the harbour in the C14. In 1400 a fire destroyed over two hundred houses, and it was even suggested that the town would be abandoned. (1,2) Though in its day a Cinque Port, Hythe has now been abandoned by the sea. Lambarde writing c 1570 says that the sea has spoilt the harbour and obliterated much of the town, which used to stretch for two miles, and possess four parish churches. Since c 1900 Hythe has grown again with houses for those who want to see the sea in their retirement. (3) Additional bibliography - not consulted. (4) TR 1615 3476. Hythe. (5) Recognised as a borough 1086. A royal charter of 1156, confirmed 1205, ratifies all the customs of Hythe from the time of Edward the Confessor. (6)

<1> AS Towns in Southern Eng (ed J Haslam) 1984 24-25 (T Tatton-Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE37389.

<2> New Towns of the Middle Ages 1967 457 (M Beresford) (OS Card Reference). SKE47533.

<3> Bldgs of Eng - NE & E Kent 1983 360 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37664.

<4> The Cinque Ports 1952 (R & F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE50279.

<5> OS 1:10000 1976 (OS Card Reference). SKE48161.

<6> Beresford, M.W. & Finberg, H.P.R. English Md Boroughs. 1973, 129 (OS Card Reference). SKE37633.

Sources and further reading