Lewes History Group

Bob Cairns, Lewes: The Postcard Collection. Amberley Publishing, 15 August 2015.

Lewes, the county town of East Sussex, started out as a bridging point and market town. Steeped in history, the town was an important Saxon burgh by 900, boasting two licensed mints. Its importance was reinforced when William de Warenne, a key ally of William the Conqueror, built his castles here.

Lewes Castle still dominates and is well worth a visit. Intercepted by the River Ouse, there are a number of gorgeous countryside walks to take advantage of in this charming ancient town. The Postcard Collection beautifully illustrates the culture and character of Lewes, taking us on a journey through its historical past.

Bob Cairns has collected Edwardian picture postcards of Lewes, Ringmer and the surrounding villages for 40 years, amassing 2,000 cards of Lewes and 1,800 of the villages near by.

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Richard Brooks: Lewes and Evesham 1264-65: Simon de Montfort and the Barons’ War. Osprey Publishing, July 2015.

At the crescendo of the Second Barons’ War were the battles of Lewes and Evesham. It was an era of high drama and intrigue, as tensions between crown and aristocracy had boiled over and a civil war erupted that would shape the future of English government.

In this detailed study, Richard Brooks unravels the remarkable events of the battles of Lewes and Evesham, revealing the unusually tactical nature of the fighting, in sharp contrast to most medieval conflicts which were habitually settled by burning and ravaging.

At Lewes, Simon de Montfort, the powerful renegade leader of the Baronial faction, won a vital victory, smashing the Royalist forces and capturing Henry III and Prince Edward. Edward escaped, however, to lead the Royalist armies to a crushing victory just a year later at Evesham.

Using full colour illustrations by Graham Turner, bird’s-eye views and detailed maps to generate an arresting visual perspective of the fighting, this book tells the full story of the battles of Lewes and Evesham, the only pitched battles to be fought by English armies in the mid-13th century.

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Eighteen historic Lewes buildings will be opening their doors over this long weekend. Some are not normally accessible, and for others, their usual entry charge has been waived for this event.

There are a range of guided tours, and for some, advance booking is essential. An opportunity not to be missed.

Additional events on during this long weekend include the Edward Reeves lightboxes in Lewes, the Offham Chalk Pit walk, a Lewes Little Theatre tour, and the Ashcombe Toll House.

For full details consult the Lewes Heritage Open Days leaflet [325 KB], also available from the Tourist Information Centre, the Town Hall, Lewes Library, and other outlets. Alternatively, visit the Heritage Open Days website  and search for events under ‘Lewes’.

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