Lewes History Group

Ten years is a blink of an eye in historical terms, but for Lewes History Group it is a significant milestone and a moment to note the significant growth and achievements since October 2009.

Jane Lee described how it all began, and highlighted our development and activities – in the December 2019 issue of the Lewes History Group Bulletin. Now, Viva Lewes is featuring an interview with Jane, and John Kay, in their February 2020 issue.

Click on the image to read Viva Lewes online. We are on page 16.

Viva Lewes, February 2020, Lewes History Group interview, page 16
Click image to read

Dan Swift: Lewes between the Twittens

Archaeologist Dan Swift provides an update on the four Lewes excavations undertaken from 2004 to 2008 by Archaeology South-East in advance of new development. These were in Styles Field (the new Lewes Library site), the garden of Lewes House, the Baxters site, and a site in St John’s Street.

These excavations all revealed new evidence of Iron Age, medieval and post-medieval activity in the town. Whilst these archaeological studies fully reflected the importance and standing of Lewes in later Saxon and Norman times, and its continued growth through the medieval period up until the mid-14th century, the revived success of Lewes in the Tudor period, leading ultimately to its elevation in status to County Town by the 16th century, was not so evident.

Dan’s talk will include the post-excavation analysis and research that has been undertaken since the excavations themselves were completed, which make an important contribution to a forthcoming book in the SpoilHeap monograph series, published jointly by Archaeology South East and the Surrey County Archaeological Unit, that pulls together the results of recent archaeological investigations across South-East England.

Lewes House excavation. Copyright Dan Swift, Archaeology South-East, UCL

All are welcome from 7.00pm for free refreshments and updates on the Group’s activities. The talk will begin promptly at 7:30pm and will finish by 9.00pm.

There is an entry fee, payable at the door, of £1 for members, and £3 for non-members.

Venue: The King’s Church building on Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2BY. (Between Tesco car park and Homebase)

See the Talks page for a list of  forthcoming monthly events organised by the Lewes History Group.

A Sussex Family History Group Uckfield Meeting Centre event

John Kay: The Social History of our Wealden Villages

The Weald was colonised later than the Sussex coast and the Downs. Early settlement was dispersed in clearings in the forest, some for summer pasture and others for mineral extraction, especially iron working – until in Tudor times the Weald became England’s industrial heartland.

The large Wealden parishes were always  difficult to manage, with ineffective law enforcement.  Many records survive, including most import­antly the Wealden landscape itself.

Venue: Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, High Street, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1AZ

Entry: Free entry and refreshments served. Guests most welcome.

Further information from Bob Cairns at rjandljcairns@btinternet.com