[1] A feature of British maritime history of this period was the appointment, generally by county, of one or more "keepers of the coast", which led in time to the consolidation of the powers of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
They were expected to crush piracy, repel raiders, protect coasters and fishermen, and summon the county to arms if there was a threat of invasion.
Under the care of the keeper was the line of fire beacons, corresponding to the modern coastguard stations, usually placed on a hill near the shore and guarded in war time by a watch from the neighbouring parishes.
In the year 1230 Geoffery de Lucy was Warden of Portsmouth, Hythe and Romney, Constable of Dover Castle.
In 1235 Hamo de Crevecur, who was appointed Lord Warden in 1263 shared joint control with Walerand Teutonicus, of the coast between Hastings and Poole, in Dorset.