ypres tower; the rye castle


The French were extremely interested in England back in the 1240's. To curb this French enthusiasm, his majesty the king Henry the 3rd ordered there to be built this rugged structure on the edge of the kingdom.  The Ypres Tower or 'Rye Castle' was constructed as part of the defence against the raiding armies from across the channel in 1249.

Rye itself is a charming little English town in East Sussex that lies between the confluence of three rivers and the sea.  The charm is even more visible from the top of St. Mary's Church from where you can see the rustic rooftops of this well preserved 13th century town.


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