By end of the thirteenth century Folkestone was considered a limb of the Cinque ports and was required to contribute supplies for the King's fleet for travel, transport or military expeditions. In 1299 the town was expected to provide seven boats, each crewed by twenty men and one boy to the King's navy. It is doubtful that more than one boat was ever supplied at a time. In 1313 Folkestone was given its Charter of Corporation. In 1349 Folkestone was granted another weekly market on a Tuesday. Following this in 1390 Wednesday also became a market day and there was a yearly fair on St. Giles's day, the 1st September. During this period Folkestone fishermen became renowned for attacking foreign trading ships and purloining the goods onboard. Such actions resulted in revenge attacks. Attacks on the town and fishermen by the French were recorded in 1378 and much later in 1552.

Next Page(1500/1600's)

Folkestone continued to prosper as a fishing village supplying an important food source. During the reign to King Stephen (1135 -1154) Folkestone was granted exemption from customs and other dues. This is a symbol of the town's growing importance in trade. A further indicator of growth is the granting of a market day to the town. In 1205 the market began and was held each Thursday. This arrangement was confirmed by charter in 1215. In 1213 Folkestone became the headquarters for King John as he prepared for an invasion by the King of France Philip Augustus. Philip Augustus had been ordered by the Pope to invade England after John refused to accept the Pope's nominee for Archbishop of Canterbury. John eventually submitted to the Pope's directions but this did not stop Philip attacking the Kent coast in 1216. Once again the town and church were destroyed. They were rebuilt in 1220.