Winchelsea is one of the most extraordinary villages in England. Not originally one the five "Cinque Ports" (which were Dover, Romney, Sandwich, Hastings and Hythe) it was co-opted into that federation, along with Rye, when the harbour at Hastings began to silt up towards the end of the 13th century. Being one of the Federation of Cinque Ports was effectively a license to print money, as they were the main trading ports for goods (especially wine) into London during the Plantaganet era. Winchelsea was the main landing port for wine from Bordeaux which was in Aqcuitaine - a part of France that England acquired when Henry II married Eleanor of Acquitaine. In order to accommodate this trade, the merchants of Winchelsea, in a building frenzy that only lasted 20 years (from 1290 to 1310) built more than 50 vaults or undercrofts beneath their houses. Today about 30 of these are still in existence, some of them in good condition others less so.
These first two are cellars beneath houses and were probably used as "wine showrooms" from which the merchants of Winchelsea sold wholesale to establishments like Battle Abbey (where the monks were allowed a wine ration of a pint of wine a day and a gallon on feastdays!)
This third one is the undercroft of a Pilgrims Hospice. Winchelsea was the main departure port for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and this was where they would stay before leaving or on their return.
Enjoy
GDZ
These first two are cellars beneath houses and were probably used as "wine showrooms" from which the merchants of Winchelsea sold wholesale to establishments like Battle Abbey (where the monks were allowed a wine ration of a pint of wine a day and a gallon on feastdays!)
This third one is the undercroft of a Pilgrims Hospice. Winchelsea was the main departure port for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and this was where they would stay before leaving or on their return.
Enjoy
GDZ