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Lewes ( Lewis) is the county town of East Sussex, England and gives its name to the Local government district in which it lies. The settlement has a long history as a bridging point and as a market town, and is today an important communications hub, and tourist-orientated town.
name Lewes comes from the plural form of Anglo-Saxon "Hlaew", which means "hill". This refers to the hills of the South Downs or ancient burial mounds within the area.
site that is now Lewes has a very ancient history.
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Encyclopedia
Lewes ( Lewis) is the county town of East Sussex, England and gives its name to the Local government district in which it lies. The settlement has a long history as a bridging point and as a market town, and is today an important communications hub, and tourist-orientated town.
Etymology
The name Lewes comes from the plural form of Anglo-Saxon "Hlaew", which means "hill". This refers to the hills of the South Downs or ancient burial mounds within the area.
History
The site that is now Lewes has a very ancient history. Archaeological evidence points to prehistoric dwellers and it is also thought that the Roman settlement of Mutuantonis was here, large quantities of artefacts having been discovered in the area. The Saxons built a castle here, having first constructed its motte as a defensive point over the river; they also gave the town its name.
After the Norman invasion Lewes was given by William the Conqueror to William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey. He built Lewes Castle on the Saxon site; and he and his wife, Gundred also founded a Cluniac priory here in 1078. Lewes was the also site of a mint during the early years after the Norman invasion as well as a mint during the Late Anglo-Saxon period, and in 1148 the town was granted a charter by King Stephen. The town also became a major port with docks along the Ouse.
The town was the site of the Battle of Lewes between the forces of Henry III and Simon de Monfort in the Second Barons’ War in 1264, at the end of which de Monfort's forces were victorious.
At the time of the Marian Persecutions of 1555–1557 Lewes was to witness the deaths of seventeen Protestant martyrs who were burnt at the stake in front of the Star Inn, now the Town Hall.
In 1846 the town became a major railway junction with lines from the North, South, and East, which ended Lewes' period as a major port. Lewes became a borough in 1881.
Local newspapers
The Sussex Express newspaper is published every Friday. It has served the people of Lewes, where it is based, and much of East Sussex since 1837. It has four editions and includes extensive coverage of the local sports scene. It is part of the Johnston Press network of newspapers. It also runs a news website at www.sussexexpress.co.uk.
Governance
Lewes became one of the non-county boroughs with the then Sussex, East county under the Local Government Act, 1933. In 1974 it became a civil parish with the title of town; there are three wards, Bridge, Castle and Priory, each being served by six councillors. The Mayor for 2008/9 is Councillor Michael Chartier (the fourth occasion on which he has held this office).
Lewes is also the seat of two other local government administrations. The East Sussex County Council offices are located at County Hall in St Anne’s Crescent; and Lewes District Council, second tier of local government, is administered from offices in the High Street
The current Member of Parliament for the Lewes constituency is Norman Baker, who won the seat in the United Kingdom general election, 1997. Norman Baker was re-elected in May 2005 and was Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary, until his resignation from the post following the election of Sir Menzies Campbell to the post of party leader.
Crime
Crime rates in Lewes
Crime rates in Lewes (per 1000 population) 2005-2006| Offence | Locally | Nationally | | Robbery | 0.17 | 1.85 | | Theft of a motor vehicle | 1.67 | 4.04 | | Theft from a motor vehicle | 4.59 | 9.56 | | Sexual offences | 0.83 | 1.17 | | Violence against a person | 16.75 | 19.97 | | Burglary | 2.99 | 5.67 |
Geography
Lewes is situated in a gap in the South Downs, cut through by the River Ouse, and near its confluence with the Winterbourne Stream. It is approximately seven miles NNW of Newhaven, and an equal distance north-east of Brighton.
The South Downs rise above the river on both banks. The High Street, and the original town, occupies the right bank, climbing steeply up from the bridge; the summit on that side, 2.5 miles (4 km) distant is known as Mount Harry. On the left bank there is a large chalk cliff (Cliffe Hill) that can be seen for many miles.
The latter gives its name to the one-time village of Cliffe, now part of the town. The southern part of the town, Southover, came into being adjacent to the Priory, south of the Winterbourne Stream. The town boundaries were enlarged twice: in 1881 and 1934, and now include the more modern housing estates of Wallands, Malling Hill, Neville and on the Kingston road
The Greenwich Meridian runs through the western part of Lewes.
Natural sites and events
There are three Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the parish; Lewes Downs, Lewes Brooks and Southerham Works Pit. Lewes Downs is a site of biological interest, an isolated area of the South Downs. Lewes Brooks, also of biological importance, is part of the flood plain of the River Ouse, providing a habitat for many other invertebrates such as water beetles and snails. Southerham Works Pit is of geological interest, a disused chalk pit displaying a wide variety of fossilised fish remains.
On 27 December 1836, an avalanche occurred in Lewes, the worst ever recorded in England. It was caused by a large build-up of snow on the nearby cliff slipping down onto a row of cottages called Boulder Row (now part of South Street). About fifteen people were buried, and eight of these died. A pub in South Street is named The Snowdrop in memory of the event.
On 21 August 1864, Lewes suffered an earthquake shock measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale
In October 2000 the town suffered major flooding during an intense period of severe weather throughout the United Kingdom. The commercial centre of the town and many residential areas were devastated. In a government report into the nationwide flooding, Lewes was officially noted the most severely affected location. As a result of the devastation caused Lewes Flood Action, a pressure group, is in existence to press for better flood protection measures.
Demography
In 2001 the service industries were by far the biggest employers in Lewes: over 60% of the population working in that sector. A little over 10% are employed in manufacturing, mostly in the smaller industrial units, particularly those in The Mallings Business Centre. An important part of the town’s economy is based on tourism, because of the many historic attractions.
Lewes Bonfire
The town's most important annual event is Lewes Bonfire, or Bonfire Night - Guy Fawkes Night celebrations on the 5th of November. In Lewes this event not only marks the date of the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, but also commemorates the memory of the seventeen Protestant martyrs. The celebrations are the largest and most famous in the world.
The current celebrations take the form of a series of torchlit processions through the town. The event is organised by the local bonfire societies, under the auspices of the Lewes Bonfire Council (or Bonco for short). Lewes itself currently has seven bonfire societies:
Cliffe
The Cliffe were founded in 1853 and traditionally represent the Cliffe and Lansdown areas of Lewes (centred around Cliffe High Street), but recently they've also claimed the South Malling suburb. Their smugglers' jumpers are black and white, and the pioneer fronts are Vikings and Moors. The Dorset Arms is the society's HQ, and the local church is St. Thomas à Becket's.
Commercial Square
Founded in 1855, they represent the St. John's area north of Lewes Castle, based around Commercial Square, which is where their HQ the Elephant and Castle is based. The pioneers are Native Americans (this theme was picked after Lewesians visited the USA in the nineteenth centruy and realised their hardships) and American Civil War soldiers, and the smugglers wear yellow and black jumpers. The society also claims the Wallands Park and Landport suburbs. The local church is St. John-sub-Castro's.
Lewes Borough
They are the oldest society (although this is debated with the Cliffe), formed in 1853. Their jumpers are blue and white, their pioneers are Zulus and Tudors. Representing the western half of Lewes and based around Western Road, their HQ is St. Mary's Social Club, which is unlike the others not a pub. The local church is St. Anne's.
Southover
Southover are the only separate village society out of the Lewes seven. They have roots in the mid-nineteenth century but they disbanded in 1985, and then reformed in 2005. They represent the Cranedown and St. Pancras areas as well as the old village of Southover. Based around Southover High Street, the local church is St. John the Baptist's, where there is a war memorial, and the HQ is the King's Head. Their jumpers are red and black and their pioneers are monks (representing the remains of the Priory of St. Pancras nearby) and buccaneers. Southover also have a Samba band, El Bloco Fuego.
South Street
They began as a children's society in 1913 but have since become one for all ages. Their jumpers are brown and white, and their pioneers are English Civil War soldiers and Siamese dancers. Based around South Street and the small area to the west between it and the River Ouse, their HQ is the John Harvey Tavern.
Waterloo
This society represents the area just to the east of the main Commercial Square part (there is a fair bit of overlap between the two) based around Market Street, a quarter of Lewes with little population as it was heavily destroyed by the local planning council to make way for roads. Waterloo's jumpers are red and white and their pioneers are Mongols and Ancient Greeks and Romans. Their HQ is the Lamb Inn.
Nevill Juvenile
Founded in 1967 specifically for children, they have stayed that way and represent the Nevill Estate. Their HQ is St. Mary's Social Centre. They hold their celebrations a week or two before the other societies with help from those six. Their pioneers are Valencians and Medieval people, their jumpers green and white.
General
All societies attend "outmeetings" or "outfires" (the nomenclature varies between the societies), where they march with the societies from other towns and villages nearby on their respective bonfire nights, before or after the Fifth in Lewes. On the Fifth, the first six societies process separately around their own particular quarters before all except the Cliffe join together in Western Road to parade down St. Anne's Street, the High Street and School Hill, followed by members of visiting societies from nearby towns and villages. After several processions, each society marches to its own firesite (on the edges of the town), where there is a large bonfire, fireworks displays and burning of effigies. Then they return to their HQ for the bonfire prayers. Whilst marching nearly all members carry torches, most carry bangers and some carry burning crosses, banners, musical instruments or burning letters spelling out the initials of the society. Police officers march behind.
Those processing mainly wear smuggler uniforms (striped jumper, white trousers, black boots and optional red hat), except the first and second pioneers, who wear specific costumes according to the Society. All Societies have different coloured striped smugglers' jumpers. A number of large effigies are drawn though the streets. Effigies of Guy Fawkes and Pope Paul V, who became head of the Roman Catholic Church in 1605, feature every year. In addition, each of the five main local societies creates a topical "tableau" (usually, but not always, representing a human figure or figures), and the Cliffe society displays on pikes the heads (also in effigy) of its current "Enemies of Bonfire", who range from nationally reviled figures to local officials who have attempted to place restrictions on the event. Restrictions are generally ignored by the Societies. The local St. John's Ambulance team has posts around procession routes to care for anyone who has been injured.
Torch-making is a time-consuming process and begins in September, with many society members joining in. Members have to make or buy their own costumes.
In 2001 an effigy of Osama bin Laden ensured that the annual event received more press attention than usual (it featured on the front page of some national newspapers) as did the Firle Bonfire Society's 2003 choice of a gypsy caravan. To mark the demise of the 17 martyrs, 17 burning crosses are carried through the town, and a wreath-laying ceremony occurs at the War Memorial in the centre of town. A flaming tar barrel is also thrown into the river Ouse; this is said to symbolise the throwing of the magistrates into the river after they read the Riot Act to the bonfire boys in 1847, but may also be an echo of Samhain traditions. The festivities culminate in five separate bonfire displays, where the effigies are destroyed by firework and flame. Up to 80,000 people have been known to attend this local spectacle, coming from all over the South and sometimes further afield.
Economy
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce represents the traders and businesses of the town.
Lewes Farmers' Market, one of the first in the UK, was started in the 1990s by Common Cause Co-operative Ltd and is a very popular re-invention of Lewes as a market town.
From 1794 beers, wines and spirits were distributed from Lewes under the Harveys name, and the town is today the site of Harveys brewery.
In September 2008, Lewes launched its own currency, the Lewes Pound, in an effort to increase trade within the town. One Lewes Pound is equal to £1. Like the similar local currency in Totnes, the initiative is part of the Transition Towns movement.
Landmarks
The town is the location of several historic buildings, including Lewes Castle, the remains of Lewes Priory, the former home of Tom Paine, The Grange, and a sixteenth century timber-framed Wealden hall-house known as Anne of Cleves House because it was given to her as part of her divorce from Henry VIII, though she never in fact lived there.
Transport
Lewes, from its inception, has been an important transport hub. Its site as a bridging point was probably originally a ford: today the main routes avoid the town centre. The A27 trunk road taking traffic along the south coast between Eastbourne and Southampton passes to the south of the town. The A26 from Maidstone to Newhaven; and the A275 (the London road) both come in from the north. The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company serve the town.
Lewes railway station was originally the junction for six routes. Today the two erstwhile country routes to the north are both closed at the Lewes end; but the East Coastway Line, connecting London with Eastbourne and Hastings, and the two branches to Brighton and Seaford remain.
The Vanguard Way, a long-distance footpath from London to Newhaven, passes through countryside to the east of the town.
Education
There are two secondary schools in the town: Lewes Priory School specialist in the Arts, Language and Science; and the independent Lewes Old Grammar School, which also has a sixth form. Sussex Downs College provides a range of courses including A levels, GCSEs and vocational qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs.
Religious buildings
There are five Church of England (CofE) churches in the town, and several other denominational churches and chapels . The main parish church is dedicated to St Michael (and, like the one in St. Peter's in nearby Rodmell it has a round tower); the other CofE churches are dedicated to St Anne and St John sub Castro in the town itself; in Cliffe there is St Thomas a Becket (where the Orthodox Community also worship); and in Southover, St John the Baptist's. The Roman Catholic church is dedicated to St Pancras, and Christ Church serves both the United Reformed Church and the Methodist worshippers.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) has a meeting house on Friars Walk that was built in 1784.
Culture
In addition to the main town museum, there is also the Thebes Gallery opened 2000. The local civic society - The Friends of Lewes - publishes its own website extolling the "... beauty, history and character of the town ...".
Bright 106.4 FM radio station broadcasts to the Lewes area. The local newspaper is the Sussex Express; the Lewes Forum is a website dedicated to "news from the county town of East Sussex".; and Viva Lewes is a "What's On" web magazine with a similar purpose.
Lewes is a cultural centre for music and dance, with many alternative art forms running alongside mainstream performing arts. Local dance schools include Wendy Baker and East Sussex Dance, whilst the thriving operatic society too continues to go from strength to strength.
Lewes is also the headquarters of the Sussex Archaeological Society.
Sport
The local football team is Lewes F.C. (home ground "The Dripping Pan") who currently play in the Conference National having secured promotion as champions of the Conference South in the 2007/2008 season.
Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club
The local Lions Club organises an annual international competition of the Toad in the Hole coin-throwing game.
Lewes Racecourse, located immediately to the west of the town on the slopes of the Downs, operated for 200 years until closed in 1964. It is still used as a training course, and there are several stables nearby.
Lewes Rugby Football Club, founded in 1930, runs several rugby teams at various competitive levels, including the senior men's sides, the woman's, girls' and junior Teams. Lewes RFC's home turf is the Stanley Turner Ground off the Kingston Road.
There is also a local athletics club who cater for junior and senior athletes alike, they train at the synthetic 400m track at the end of mountfield road, although they train all over Lewes taking advantage of Lewes town and the south downs.
Notable people
Among the many notable people was Thomas Paine (1737–1809), who was employed as an excise officer in the town for a time from 1768 to 1774 when he emigrated to the American colonies.
The fact that Lewes has a Crown Court, and a prison, is reflected by the fact that many notorious people have been connected with the town. During the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland several prominent figures involved in it were in Lewes Prison, including Eamon de Valera (1882–1975); Thomas Ashe (1885–1917); Frank Lawless (1871–1922); and Harry Boland (1887–1922). Others have included George Witton (1874–1942) involved in shooting prisoners during the Boer War.
Lewes assizes have seen many important trials. In 1949 serial killer John George Haigh was sentenced to death. In 1956 suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams had his committal hearing in Lewes before being sent to the Old Bailey, London for trial. He was subsequently tried and convicted in Lewes in 1957 for fraud, lying on cremation forms and obstructing a police search. An early case was that of Percy Lefroy Mapleton (1860–1881) hanged for murder and the subject of the first composite picture on a wanted poster.
Twin towns
Lewes is twinned with:
Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany, since 1974
Blois, France, since 30 June 1963
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