Rye Castle | |
---|---|
Part of the City of Rye | |
East Sussex in England | |
![]() The Ypres Tower | |
Coordinates | 50°56′59.35″N 0°44′8.11″E / 50.9498194°N 0.7355861°E |
Type | Castle |
Site information | |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Standing |
Site history | |
Built | 1249 [1] |
Built by | King Henry III |
In use | 1249- |
Rye Castle, also known as Ypres Tower, was built in the 13th or 14th centuries, [1] and is situated in Rye, East Sussex, England. It is a Grade I listed building and has been scheduled as an ancient monument. [2] [3]
The exact date of construction is unclear although the possibility of creating a castle at Rye was mentioned in documents of 1226 and 1249. [2] In 1329 Murage was applied for and works carried out during the 14th century before and after attacks by the French. [2] Rye became one of the Cinque Ports and was involved in both defence and trade. [4] It was originally called "Baddings Tower". [5] [6]
During King Henry VIII's Device Fort programme, an artillery battery, known as the Gun Garden, was constructed adjacent to the castle overlooking the harbour. [7] It was rearmed at the time of the Spanish Armada of 1588, [8] and again during the 18th century wars with France. In 1830, it was still in active service with 18 guns. [9]
The castle may have been used as a prison and in 1430 became the property of John de Iprys; which lead to the name Ypres Tower. [2] In the 16th century it was used as a prison and courthouse with a full-time gaoler being appointed in 1796. [10] An exercise yard was added and then a women's prison in 1837. [11] The prison function continued until 1891. [2] It then became the town's morgue. [12]
The tower was damaged during air raids in World War II but has been repaired and restored since then. [2]
The three-storey castle is of iron-stained sandstone. It has a square plan with a round towers at each corner. The door in the north side is protected by a portcullis. [2]
Ypres Tower is one of two sites of Rye Castle Museum and is a grade I listed building. [2] Exhibits in the tower include locally-made medieval pottery, an embroidery depicting many aspects of Rye life and history, medieval artifacts, activities and town maps.
The East Street Site, a former brewer's bottling factory, is the main exhibit area for the Rye Castle Museum. Opened in 1999, [13] the local history exhibits include fire fighting equipment, trade changes caused by the sea's retreat, maritime history and shipbuilding, antique toys and games, photos, town seals, and archaeological artifacts. [14] [15]
Rye Castle | |
---|---|
Part of the City of Rye | |
East Sussex in England | |
![]() The Ypres Tower | |
Coordinates | 50°56′59.35″N 0°44′8.11″E / 50.9498194°N 0.7355861°E |
Type | Castle |
Site information | |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Standing |
Site history | |
Built | 1249 [1] |
Built by | King Henry III |
In use | 1249- |
Rye Castle, also known as Ypres Tower, was built in the 13th or 14th centuries, [1] and is situated in Rye, East Sussex, England. It is a Grade I listed building and has been scheduled as an ancient monument. [2] [3]
The exact date of construction is unclear although the possibility of creating a castle at Rye was mentioned in documents of 1226 and 1249. [2] In 1329 Murage was applied for and works carried out during the 14th century before and after attacks by the French. [2] Rye became one of the Cinque Ports and was involved in both defence and trade. [4] It was originally called "Baddings Tower". [5] [6]
During King Henry VIII's Device Fort programme, an artillery battery, known as the Gun Garden, was constructed adjacent to the castle overlooking the harbour. [7] It was rearmed at the time of the Spanish Armada of 1588, [8] and again during the 18th century wars with France. In 1830, it was still in active service with 18 guns. [9]
The castle may have been used as a prison and in 1430 became the property of John de Iprys; which lead to the name Ypres Tower. [2] In the 16th century it was used as a prison and courthouse with a full-time gaoler being appointed in 1796. [10] An exercise yard was added and then a women's prison in 1837. [11] The prison function continued until 1891. [2] It then became the town's morgue. [12]
The tower was damaged during air raids in World War II but has been repaired and restored since then. [2]
The three-storey castle is of iron-stained sandstone. It has a square plan with a round towers at each corner. The door in the north side is protected by a portcullis. [2]
Ypres Tower is one of two sites of Rye Castle Museum and is a grade I listed building. [2] Exhibits in the tower include locally-made medieval pottery, an embroidery depicting many aspects of Rye life and history, medieval artifacts, activities and town maps.
The East Street Site, a former brewer's bottling factory, is the main exhibit area for the Rye Castle Museum. Opened in 1999, [13] the local history exhibits include fire fighting equipment, trade changes caused by the sea's retreat, maritime history and shipbuilding, antique toys and games, photos, town seals, and archaeological artifacts. [14] [15]