Cinque Ports Castle, and whilst this office exists today, it is now a purely honorary title, with an official residence at Walmer Castle. The town of Hastings was the head port of the Cinque Ports in mediaeval times. The towns also had their own system of courts. All Freemen of the ports, termed "portsmen", were deemed in the age of Feudalism to be barons, and thus members of the baronage entitled to attend the king's parliament - a privilege granted in 1322 in recognition of their earlier support of the Despensers, father and son. Termed "Barons of the Cinque Ports", they reflected
John de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham (of Kent) John de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham (of Kent) John de Cobham, 2nd Baron Cobham (died 1355) was an English nobleman. He was the second baron of the family of Cobhams of Cobham. He was the eldest son and heir of Henry de Cobham, 1st Baron Cobham. In 1320 he became Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and constable of Dover Castle, succeeding his father in both positions. In 1334 he was appointed, along with his father, constable of Rochester Castle. The following year he was made Admiral for the region west of the Thames. After 1350, he served in Parliament