Broomhill in East Sussex

Broomhill in East Sussex used to lie in the area of the current Lydd Army Ranges on the coast between Camber and Dungeness . It was located on an island on a spit of land on the western edge of the Walland Marsh which is now the western edge of the Romney Marsh . In 1155 a Royal Charter founded the Cinque Ports which originally consisted of the 'Ports' of Hastings , Romney ( now Old Romney ) , Hythe , Dover and Sandwich. However most of the ports in the Romney Marsh area became associated with the founders, and Broomhill was no exception, joining in the late 1100's.

In 1287 a severe storm hit hit the channel, and the movement of shingle blocked the outlet of the Rother at Romney, changing its path forever down to Rye and out into the sea. The Storm sweept away the ports of (P)Bromehill and Old Winchelsea and destroyed many ships. The Cinque Ports were very badly hit as many of the fishing vessels and sailors were lost. Surprisingly the decayed remains of the church are shown on a map produced by John Norden in 1595.