More information : (TQ 415101) The town of Lewes was of some importance in
Saxon times. Aethelstan had two mints there. There is however, no
evidence for Roman occupation. After the Conquest it became the
centre of William de Warenne's barony and it was he who built
the castle.
The town was walled about 1267 and there was a further grant for
murage in 1334. It is uncertain whether any stone wall existed on
the east, where the river protected the approach. See Map Diagram.
(1-2)
The overall topographical character of Medieval Lewes survives
today (see map diagram), although little of the original town
wall survives, and many of the buildings have been refaced in
later times. The castle (TQ 41 NW 71) still dominates the town,
which has now spread beyond the Md walls.
Published survey (1:1250) correct. (3)
TQ417014. Lewes town wall, section called the Green Wall.
Scheduled. (4)
Lewes is mentioned in 1066 as having 127 burgesses. In 1148 a charter by Reginald de Warenne restored to the burgesses their merchant guild. (5)
Lewes was a late Saxon burh of considerable importance, being assessed circa 900 at over 1000 hides. Probable elements of town planning are observable to the south of the castle at TQ41350990, and may be contemporary with the construction of the burh. There was some aparent 11th century suburban development; Cliffe on the opposite bank of the Ouse, and Southover to the south-west. The Mediaeval High Street market survived until the 18th century. The town does not appear to have been subject to extensive growth until the 20th century. (6,7) |