Rye Castle

The exact date of construction is unclear although the possibility of creating a castle at Rye was mentioned in documents of 1226 and 1249. It was originally called "Baddings Tower". During King Henry VIII's Device Fort programme, an artillery battery, known as the Gun Garden, was constructed adjacent to the castle overlooking the harbour. It was rearmed at the time of the Spanish Armada of 1588, and again during the 18th century wars with France. In 1830, it was still in active service with 18 guns. The castle may have been used as a prison and in 1430 became the property of John de Iprys; which lead to the name Ypres Tower. An exercise yard was added and then a women's prison in 1837. The prison function continued until 1891. The tower was damaged during air raids in World War II but has been repaired and restored since then. ==Architecture==

with skeleton in the cell in the tower The three-storey castle is of iron-stained sandstone. It has a square plan with a round towers at each corner. The door in the north side is protected by a portcullis. ==Rye Castle Museum==

Ypres Tower is one of two sites of Rye Castle Museum and is a grade I listed building. Exhibits in the tower include locally made medieval pottery, an embroidery depicting many aspects of Rye life and history, medieval artifacts, activities and town maps. The East Street Site, a former brewer's bottling factory, is the main exhibit area for the Rye Castle Museum. Opened in 1999, the local history exhibits include fire fighting equipment, trade changes caused by the sea's retreat, maritime history and shipbuilding, antique toys and games, photos, town seals, and archaeological artifacts. ==References==