Rye - Smuggler

Smuggling began in the early 14th century, when duty was imposed on wool, cloth and leather exports and on imported wine.
By the late 1600´s, because so many Ryers were involved, it became impossible to control - Customs men and military were either bribed or violently threatened and few people were brought to justice.
Many of the houses in Rye have interconnecting roofs and attics to aid escaping smugglers.

One of these gangs of smugglers was The Hawkhurst Gang, numbering dozens of members, who openly planned their adventures in the Mermaid Inn on Mermaid Street.
Read more about them here and here.