Broadstairs... a short story of the town

The Romans invaded Britain whilst Thanet was an island. At Richborough and Reculver, they constructed forts to defend each end of the Wansum Channel which divided Thanet from the others of Kent. The Vikings were constant attackers towards the point of Roman foreign rule, in AD449 Hengist arrived at Pegwell Bay gaining control of Thanet and the others of Kent, the visitors remained and built there homes. In AD597 Augustine landed calmly and established his monastery in Canterbury. The Monks broaden their belief to Thanet, constructing the church at Minster. At that stage the fishing village of Bradst, anglo-saxon denoting a broad place, heighten to change into Broadstairs,
Ship-building was the biggest industry in Broadstairs in the 1600 and 1700. The first Pier and the York gate were constructed to help and defend the ship yard in Habour Street in 1538. Constructed by George Culmer and initially called Flint Gate it was changed in honour the Grand old Duke of York and thoroughly reconstructed in 1795 by lord Henniker. The town's people aided supplying the English fleet arrived off-shore in 1588 whilst they anticipated the Spanish Armada. Following countless huge vessels were built for the Royal Navy and for merchant enterprises, until ship construction stopped in 1824.