Romney Marsh is a wetland of the South-east of England, located on the territories of the Kent and the Sussex of the East. Very little populated, this vast marsh extends on approximately 260km ².

Geography

Romney Marsh is a low-ground (certain places being even under the sea level) and is composed of several areas:

• Romney Marsh in a strict sense: in the North of a line connecting New Romney to Appledore
• the Walland Marsh: it extends to the South from this line to the border from Kent
• the East Guldeford, in the South of Rye
• the Denge Marsh, located at the South-east of Lydd
• the Rother Levels, around the island of Oxney
• Rye, Winchelsea and Pett Levels

The Rother River

Running on 35 miles (56km), it is one of the longest rivers of the Sussex of the East. It takes its source close to Rotherfield and is thrown in the sea on the level of Rye.

History

The strategic position and the proximity of the continent of Europe made marsh a privileged ground of conflicts during the centuries.

In 892 av J-C, the invasion by the Danish fleet success was crowned: the invaders besieged and destroyed the fortress of Appledore (built by the King Arthur).

The Five-Ports

This confederation of coastal towns, which provided men and boats to the English kings when the danger threatened, includes/understands the ports of New Romney and Hythe, like two " anciennes" cities; (Ancient Towns): Rye and Winchelsea.

The Royal Military Channel

The Royal Military Channel extends on 28 miles from Hythe to Cliff End in the Sussex from the East. Built at the origin as a military defense, it is now a refuge for the wildlife.

The Turns Martello

These turns of fortification, built between 1805 and 1808 are 74, and mark out the southern part of England.

Military training

Two camps of drive are within Romney Marsh, with Hythe like with Lydd.

The Malaria

From 1564, an epidemic of Malaria was spread in Romney Marsh, causing many deaths until 1730. By improving the drainage of the area, the construction of the Royal Military Channel, which was completed in 1806 allowed éradiquer the disease.

The Sheep of Romney Marsh

At the 19th century, the economy and the landscape of the area were strongly influenced by the breeding of the sheep. Improvements in the management of the pastures allowed the development of the populations: thus the race became one of most important. The main feature of the sheep of Romney Marsh is its capacity to be fed even in wet weather: indeed, the race is extremely resistant to the parasites and the infections.

The Sheep of Romney Marsh was exported in the whole world, in particular in Australia, where it present since 1871.