Lewes

Lewes is an historical as well as the county town of East Sussex. It is situated in a gap in the South Downs through which runs the river Ouse and is approximately ten miles from the city of Brighton and Hove. The Greenwich Meridian runs through the western part of Lewes.

Lewes prospered under the Normans and the fact that the River Ouse was navigable soon benefited the town. Imports included wine, cloth, spices, salt and fish. Exports included local produce such as corn, malt, leather and timber, with wool fast becoming the main exported commodity as farming on the South Downs increased. The importance of Lewes as a port became apparent when, by the reign of Edward the Confessor, the burg of Lewes was required to pay twenty shillings towards coastal defence whenever needed. Lewes was also expected to supply ships and men to defend the shores. Along with the increase in merchant trading came the increase in smuggling. Wool smugglers, known as 'owlers' were fast becoming a nuisance to thriving merchants and according to records, in 1731 a battery of soldiers was despatched to Lewes to combat the problem.

During the 1840s Lewes became a major railway junction housing a number of family firms managed and owned by local residents. Manufacturing enterprises, breweries, a shipyard and printing works all saved the town from decline as shopkeepers faced stiff competition from Brighton, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells. The household brand name Russell and Bromley was founded in Lewes. In 1873 George Frederick Bromley arrived in the town to work as a journeyman-shoemaker for the prosperous Albion Russell. He fell in love with his employer’s daughter Elizabeth and married her in 1874. This partnership gave rise to the now famous chain of shoe shops that is still very much in vogue today.

The imposing and impressive Lewes Castle towers over Lewes, the river Ouse and the forest of East Sussex providing splendid views over the town and surrounding countryside. One of the oldest Norman castles it was built by William de Warenne, close associate of William the Conqueror. Originally much larger, it had two keeps, each built on artificial castle mounds at either end of the fortified compound. Sadly, only the southerly mound and keep survive today. However, on approaching the castle one cannot fail to be impressed by the majestic 14th century barbican or gatehouse, which was later added to improve the fortifications.

The 5th November, Guy Fawkes night is famous throughout the country, but especially so in Lewes. The Marian persecutions of 1555-7 resulted in seventeen Protestant martyrs being burned to death in the town and in 1605 the plot by a number of Catholics to blow up the Protestant King was foiled. And so bonfire night in Lewes is in memory to these events. Great processions of people march through the streets of the town wearing incredible costumes, carrying flaming torches and letting off fireworks. As a finale, effigies of the Pope and Guy Fawkes are blown up.