Brightlingsea
October 6, 2021
HM 171. Brightlingsea - Essex's only "Cinque Port"
We are now entering a little known area of the country with its own mystical presence. Did you know that Essex, with its countless creeks and inlets has the second longest coastline of any county, after Devon?
Did you know that Brightlingsea is a Cinque Port? All the other Cinque Ports (confusingly there are more than five... and they are pronounced "sink" not "sank") are in Kent and Sussex. In 1353 Brightlingsea became an off-shoot (or "Limb") of the port of Sandwich. For 600 years each of the ports was required to provide the Crown with a specified number of ships, for 15 days every year; each crewed by 21 men and a boy. The town still proudly upholds this now ceremonial status.
Finally, did you know the Romans first arrived in this part of Essex (think Colchester) in BC 54. They only stayed a few months on that occasion but it was nearly 100 years before the main Roman invasion of AD43. What was then an "Island" of Brightlingsea was famous for providing enough oysters to feed the local Roman garrison.... maybe that explains the prowess of Essex boys and girls!
It is no surprise that the good folk of Brightlingsea, especially the friendly team in the Harbour Office are very proud of their town, their history and their harbour, and we were made especially welcome by the Harbour Master, ex soldier, James Thomas, his office manager Jill and all the team. They kindly handed over a cheque to The Seafarers' Charity on our departure together with a smart burgee.
From a mariner's point of view, Brightlingsea is the gateway to this land of oyster beds, Thames sailing barges and let's face it....quite a bit of mud. The HM has to survey and dredge the channels every six months which is not a cheap job. But this ensures there is a safe and warm welcome to visitors and in 2021 over 3,000 visiting boats enjoyed that hospitality. @brightlingseaharbour
We are now entering a little known area of the country with its own mystical presence. Did you know that Essex, with its countless creeks and inlets has the second longest coastline of any county, after Devon?
Did you know that Brightlingsea is a Cinque Port? All the other Cinque Ports (confusingly there are more than five... and they are pronounced "sink" not "sank") are in Kent and Sussex. In 1353 Brightlingsea became an off-shoot (or "Limb") of the port of Sandwich. For 600 years each of the ports was required to provide the Crown with a specified number of ships, for 15 days every year; each crewed by 21 men and a boy. The town still proudly upholds this now ceremonial status.
Finally, did you know the Romans first arrived in this part of Essex (think Colchester) in BC 54. They only stayed a few months on that occasion but it was nearly 100 years before the main Roman invasion of AD43. What was then an "Island" of Brightlingsea was famous for providing enough oysters to feed the local Roman garrison.... maybe that explains the prowess of Essex boys and girls!
It is no surprise that the good folk of Brightlingsea, especially the friendly team in the Harbour Office are very proud of their town, their history and their harbour, and we were made especially welcome by the Harbour Master, ex soldier, James Thomas, his office manager Jill and all the team. They kindly handed over a cheque to The Seafarers' Charity on our departure together with a smart burgee.
From a mariner's point of view, Brightlingsea is the gateway to this land of oyster beds, Thames sailing barges and let's face it....quite a bit of mud. The HM has to survey and dredge the channels every six months which is not a cheap job. But this ensures there is a safe and warm welcome to visitors and in 2021 over 3,000 visiting boats enjoyed that hospitality. @brightlingseaharbour