At Lewes you could believe there is a part of England which will always remain so! In the streets, amongst the houses and it's encircling hills it holds a timeless quality that enthrall visitors of all ages, throughout the ages. Here you will see a glimpse into our past, of how generations before us have lived, worked and toiled and the streets of Lewes holds many keys and each glimpse tells a different story.

 

           

This photo on the left shows the inner gateway on the left of the photo - the only surviving piece of de Warrene's castle - the Barbican was built in the 14th century. The photo on the right shows the inner gateway with it's rounded arch - the gothic arch of the Barbican can be seen behind it.

 

Lewis Council have done a grand job in keeping Lewes as unspoilt a town as you can see in these high pressure days of change and advancement. It is a continous balancing act to retain the features of yesteryear with the future of the next generations.

 

 

A hearty 'Well Done' goes out from myself to the folks on the council in their often unrecognized work. The history of Lewes goes back so far that the very meaning of the name is lost. It is known that Athelstan had two mints here and there was a stronghold on the site long before William de Warrene had the Norman castle built . Of the earlier history of Lewes and its surrounding area I shall place pages with much content at a later date, but for now these pages will be dedicated to the castle of Lewes and it's site.

 

 

The only part of the castle that de Warrene built that survives is the inner gateway. The outer gateway and the keep date from the reign of the first Edward. The site of the second keep was in private grounds not far off, a feature very rare in this country if not unique, it was transferred to the Sussex Archaeological Trust by Mrs Alice Dudeney, so that 'it did not fall into the wrong hands'.

 

To the modern visitor, the best sights are from the keep and the long trek to the top is definetly worth the trouble. The views from here are magnificent with the whole town laid before those who make the climb - north, south east and west each hold a breathtaking picture of Sussex Downland. You will find links to each of the views from the top of the keep on the Lewes castle navigation bar.

 

As mentioned earlier it is probable that there was a fortification here before de Warrene built his convenient place of residence. The newly raised castle (the Caput baronaiæ) built after the Norman taste, soon became the seat of feudal splendour and oppression. The castle of Lewes, although agreeing with many other layouts of Norman castle building had one main difference from any other castle in England - that it had two keeps (one at each extremity of the base court), raised on lofty artificial mounds. The space within the castle walls was irregular in shape measuring some 790 feet by 396, which was surrounded by lofty walls which continued up the mount to connect each keep. Under the south wall was a strong vallum (earthwork), and a broad, deep fosse (ditch or moat). The northern end, which formed part of the fortifications of the borough, was strongly defended by a precipitous bank and double trenches.

 

                      

Above: Arrow-loop windows on the barbican enabled the defenders to harry their attackers with small risk to themselves. Right: View of the barbican from the west side showing the west tower with it's arrow-loop windows and the machicolations above the arch entrance.

 

The barbican (Top of page), built in the14th century shadows the much older gateway with it's Saxon arch. This is unfortunately, the only surviving part of the original Norman castle. Although the portcullis groves may clearly be seen, the portcullis itself has long since been lost to time. The gateway dates to about 1100 and shows earlier herring-bone work, using roughly-shaped, large flints, and the archway is faced with Caen stone which was probably shipped in from Normandy.

 

The Barbican was built about the end of the reign of Edward I, or in the beginning of that of his successor, by John de Warrene, the eigth Lord of Lewes. This was possibly the last major construction work at the castle and may have been added when the town walls were repaired in 1333. The building consisted of three stories with twin circular towers known as bartizans. On the roof of the barbican on the town side is a line of machicolations, through which the defenders would drop all manner of materials on their attackers whilst in comparitave safety themselves. Facing the town side which it defended were arrow-loop windows (see below) allowing the defenders offensive positions with minimal exposure to the attackers.

 

The portcullis seems to have been a second line of defence behind a pit drawbridge, operated by counterweights. The barbican suffered badly from the neglect it received and the parapet and west tower had to be restored in 1895 to bring it to its present state. Reinforced concrete floors and a new roof were added at a later date. Although not as entire as say Bodiam castle, the surviving parts of Lewes castle are very interesting and make for an enjoyable walk culminating in the superb views from the keep.

 

 

Photographs of the views from the roof of the keep are on the Lewes castle navigation bar. Each will load in a seperate window

 

 

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