Monday, June 26, 2006
LEWES. The County Town of East Sussex.
Last Saturday we had a few spare hours in Lewes.
We were in Lewes for a day at the track, timekeeping for an Inter Counties athletics match. It was a competition for those doing decathlons and other multi event competitions. There is always a long break in the proceedings on the track in these events and so we went for a walk.
Lewes is a wonderful old town built on the south facing slopes of The South Downs above the River Ouse. The town is dominated by the castle, now ruined. The 12th century keep stands tall, protected by the 14th century Barbican.
The steep High Street is elegant with a mixture of medieval and Georgian buildings.
Oh - and by the way, I think I should tell you the pronunciation of Lewes; visitors often get it wrong. It is Loo-iss.
Last Saturday we were in the part of Lewes known as Southover - in medieval times it was a separate settlement based round the large priory, which fell into disrepair at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.
Southover High Street is beautiful and interesting and oozing history.
The most famous building in Southover High Street is Anne of Cleves house which was built in about 1500 and given to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII as part of their divorce settlement. It is said that she actually never lived there.
This picture of the large window at Anne of Cleves house shows very many building materials. I love to look at windows.
Here is another.
Anne of Cleves house is now a museum containing all sorts of artefacts connected with the area.
There are many styles of buildings. Some have the look of the typical Tudor house with the black beams and white walls.
The house to the left is called St John's House.
I wonder if the black and white style of building is a more recent creation than we imagine. Anne of Cleves house shows us the original stones. These medieval houses may once have looked much the same, but in Georgian times owners chose to make the houses look more interesting. It seems that giving one's house a make over is nothing new!
This old house was just round the corner from St John's House.
There has been a church in Southover High Street since the 10th century.
The present building is more recent of course - mostly 14th century.
The tall weather vane has a fish facing into the wind.
You can see that the church wall in the picture above is built from flints.
Sussex people feel a strong affection for flint, for only here - close to the chalk South Downs are so many buildings constructed this way.
From this point we could see the castle standing high above the town.
In the foreground is a pub named The King's Head.
We know that Henry VIII was very influential in these parts. He destroyed the life of the Priory and gave the property away to his own people.
I don't suppose he ever went into this local inn - but it was a portrait of Henry VIII on the inn sign.
You can see some of the flags of St George of England which were decorating the pub - not as a permanent mark of patriotism for the mother country. At this time the flags are to be seen in great numbers as the people of England wish to show solidarity with the national football team playing in the Finals of the Football World Cup.
We decided, having walked in the noonday sun to stop at The Kings Head for some refreshment.
Here is Bill in their courtyard garden at the back with a glass of Guinness.
Looking back he realises he should have chosen a pint of Harvey's beer - which is brewed not half a mile away on the other side of town.
Never fear - there will be other opportunities for Sussex beer!
Last Saturday he relished the dark Irish nectar.
We were in Lewes for a day at the track, timekeeping for an Inter Counties athletics match. It was a competition for those doing decathlons and other multi event competitions. There is always a long break in the proceedings on the track in these events and so we went for a walk.
Lewes is a wonderful old town built on the south facing slopes of The South Downs above the River Ouse. The town is dominated by the castle, now ruined. The 12th century keep stands tall, protected by the 14th century Barbican.
The steep High Street is elegant with a mixture of medieval and Georgian buildings.
Oh - and by the way, I think I should tell you the pronunciation of Lewes; visitors often get it wrong. It is Loo-iss.
Last Saturday we were in the part of Lewes known as Southover - in medieval times it was a separate settlement based round the large priory, which fell into disrepair at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.
Southover High Street is beautiful and interesting and oozing history.
The most famous building in Southover High Street is Anne of Cleves house which was built in about 1500 and given to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII as part of their divorce settlement. It is said that she actually never lived there.
This picture of the large window at Anne of Cleves house shows very many building materials. I love to look at windows.
Here is another.
Anne of Cleves house is now a museum containing all sorts of artefacts connected with the area.
There are many styles of buildings. Some have the look of the typical Tudor house with the black beams and white walls.
The house to the left is called St John's House.
I wonder if the black and white style of building is a more recent creation than we imagine. Anne of Cleves house shows us the original stones. These medieval houses may once have looked much the same, but in Georgian times owners chose to make the houses look more interesting. It seems that giving one's house a make over is nothing new!
This old house was just round the corner from St John's House.
There has been a church in Southover High Street since the 10th century.
The present building is more recent of course - mostly 14th century.
The tall weather vane has a fish facing into the wind.
You can see that the church wall in the picture above is built from flints.
Sussex people feel a strong affection for flint, for only here - close to the chalk South Downs are so many buildings constructed this way.
From this point we could see the castle standing high above the town.
In the foreground is a pub named The King's Head.
We know that Henry VIII was very influential in these parts. He destroyed the life of the Priory and gave the property away to his own people.
I don't suppose he ever went into this local inn - but it was a portrait of Henry VIII on the inn sign.
You can see some of the flags of St George of England which were decorating the pub - not as a permanent mark of patriotism for the mother country. At this time the flags are to be seen in great numbers as the people of England wish to show solidarity with the national football team playing in the Finals of the Football World Cup.
We decided, having walked in the noonday sun to stop at The Kings Head for some refreshment.
Here is Bill in their courtyard garden at the back with a glass of Guinness.
Looking back he realises he should have chosen a pint of Harvey's beer - which is brewed not half a mile away on the other side of town.
Never fear - there will be other opportunities for Sussex beer!
Last Saturday he relished the dark Irish nectar.
