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
Walter de Burgsted Walter de Burgsted Walter de Burgsted was an English judge and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports during the thirteenth century. In 1262 Walter de Burgsted was given a commission 'to keep the Cinque Ports', effectively authorising him control of the South Coast, and charging him with maintaining its defences. At this time the office of Lord Warden had not been officially established, and such men were known as Keepers of the Coast. He also received the command of Constable of Dover Castle, but the appointments were not made at the same time, having not been merged into one office