Five English ports, to which peculiar privileges were anciently accorded; -- viz., Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich; afterwards increased by the addition of Winchelsea, Rye, and some minor places.
Source: Webster's dictionaryEngland relied on the county's ports to provide warships through much of its history; the Cinque Ports in the 12th–14th centuries and Chatham Dockyard in the 16th–20th centuries were of particular importance. Source: Internet
Certain other office-holders such as senior clerics and Freemen of the Cinque Ports were deemed barons. Source: Internet
It was one of the Cinque Ports during medieval times. Source: Internet