Cinque Ports - Rye Traditional Geocache
SecretFive: We have taken the tough decision to archive our Rye cache series.
A Huge Thank You to all the cacher's that have found these caches over the past 10 years.
Thank You [:)]
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Size: 
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This cache is a 35mm film pot placed just above ground level. Cache contains log & a FTF certificate. It should be accessible to wheelchair users. This area is likely to be Muggle Central during warm weather. Please use stealth when retrieving and replacing this cache.
The ancient Cinque Port town of Rye sits on a hill commanding breathtaking views of Romney marsh and the sea. Incorporated in 1289 and once a seaport, the town played a vital role both in the defence against invaders and as a trading centre. Its cobbled streets and medieval houses once echoed to the sounds of smugglers and revenue men, and fine trading vessels were to be found unloading at the warehouses on the quay. When Edward I introduced a tax on the export of wool at the beginning of the 14th century, smuggling quickly followed. A customs service was set up to collect the taxes due, but it was fairly ineffective and many of the officials were only too happy to be bribed, supplementing their non too generous pay. As the trade grew over the centuries, almost everyone living in or near any port was involved in it one way or another. By the 18th century Rye was known for the ferocity of its 'Owlers' so named for the owl like sounds they made as signals. Armed to the teeth, leading packs of heavily laden horses through the marshes, they were quite ready to kill if challenged. In a report of 1736 the number of custom house officers who have been beaten, abused and wounded since Christmas 1723 is stated as being no less than 250, besides six others have been actually murdered in the execution of their duty. Members of the infamous Hawkhurst Gang, which consisted of dozens of men, used to meet openly at the red lion and mermaid inn, carousing & smoking their pipes, with loaded pistols on the table before them, no magistrate daring to interfere with them. The abolition of many of the duties in the 19th century, coupled with a major reform of the customs service, put pay to smuggling almost overnight. You can see part of the original stone wall from here which once surrounded the town. ** AS PER GEOCACHING RULES YOU CAN ONLY CLAIM A FIND IF YOU SIGN THE LOG SHEET **
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fvg ba raq bs ybat jnyy naq ybbx qbja penpx va pbeare bs sybjre orq, haqre cvrpr bs gvyr.