Rye had been held by the Abbey of Fécamp in Normandy for a long time as a Royal deed of gift.

During a severe raid by French marauders, the town and the parish church were looted and set on fire.

The following year a group of men from Rye and Winchelsea struck back and recovered the loot including the stolen bells.

To deter potential invaders from any future attack one of the bells was hung in the Watchbell Street.

A huge pendulum reaching into the church's body was added later, as was the actual face of the clock and the so-called "Quarter Boys".

They were used as a gaol, for storage for many things, including the town fire pump, and also as a butcher's shop.

The butcher John Breeds accidentally murdered Allen Grebell instead of the mayor he really intended to kill.