Antient Towns
The five ports are supported by the two so-called "Antient Towns" of Rye and Winchelsea whose councils traditionally maintained defence contingents for the realm of England.
Read more about this topic: Cinque Ports
Famous quotes containing the words antient and/or towns:
“Though Justice against Fate complain,
And plead the antient Rights in vain:
But those do hold or break
As Men are strong or weak.”
—Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)
“New is a word for fools in towns who think
Style upon style in dress and thought at last
Must get somewhere.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)