The name of Rye is believed to come from
Norman French rie meaning a bank. Medieval maps show that Rye was originally
located on a huge embayment of the English Channel called the Rye Camber, which
provided a safe anchorage and harbour. Probably as early as Roman times, Rye was
important as a place of shipment and storage of iron from the Wealden Iron
Industry. The Mermaid Inn originally dates to 1156.
Rye, as part of the Saxon Manor of
Rameslie, was given to the Benedictine Abbey of Fécamp in Normandy by King
Æthelred; it was to remain in Norman
