The Battle of Lewes Experience

07/04/2025

Fantastic Battle of Lewes event coming up in May, in the place where Simon de Montfort defeated Henry 111 in May 1264.

06/04/2025

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/battle-of-lewes-festival-2025 The Battle of Lewes Festival is back for 2025! Free for all to attend, and run by volunteers. But we need a little help this year to make it happen - could you pitch in to our crowdfunder? Rewards range from a ride on a vintage bus with an army of knights to the battlefield site to the chance to carry de Montfort's sword through the high street. Any contribution, however small, is very welcome - thank you.

To celebrate the historic Battle of Lewes 1264 - a free for all, fun event featuring reenactment and entertainment in May 2025

15/05/2022

Great Battle of Lewes this weekend including from speakers Kes, Jon Gunson, Goldeneye Forge Rod Hughes, Claire Kennan, Peter Cole and John Freeman. Thank you all:)

14/05/2022

Crowds pouring in to see the reenactment of de Montfort's victory over Henry III at May Fayre to celebrate St Pancras at Priory Park, Lewes Southover Bonfire Society today, organised by Battle of Lewes

14/05/2022

Battle reenactors descend on Lewes Priory today.

14/05/2022

13/05/2022

Our fantastic May Fayre will run alongside the battle of Lewes events this weekend-completely free. Why go anywhere else? http://www.southoverbs.com/2022/03/26/may-fayre-magic-returns/?fbclid=IwAR36GukOUchFD_hN-qR6MFsUcr5o54Aj52_kVQxOID4Jj7BmH9R4Q5iIoPY

Medieval magic is back in all its glory at our fantastic Feast of St Pancras May Fayre which returns to Lewes Priory Park on Saturday and Sunday May 14 & 15 2022. It’s Southover Bonfire Society…

13/05/2022

Full ropes rehearsal! It will be amazing to see the streets of Lewes full of battling knights this weekend, just as it was on May 14th 1264. Catch the High St reenactment at around 12.30, Saturday and Sunday, and before and after from the gallops to Lewes Castle then down to Lewes Priory Park

10/05/2022

Great free Battle of Lewes history talks this weekend for all the family, down at Convent Field, 14th and 15th May. Armour, battle art, swords, battle of Lewes history, walks, chivalry, a medieval ballad and ancient slander.

Outdoor arena:
2.00-2.30pm Arming a Knight
Meet reenactors Benn Bell and Danny Stevenson, who will display their weapons and armour and show how a knight would get dressed for battle. *Family friendly

2.35pm - 3.05pm What is Knighthood?
Meet 13thC heraldic expert and author of the Sussex Express ‘Friday Knights’ column Jon Gunson for a ramble around this spiky topic. He claims this is not a rhetorical question, but a cry for help. “With luck, people should go away knowing less than they did to start with.”

3.10pm – 3.40pm The ballad that was banned
Former Battle of Lewes Project Officer for Sussex Archaeological Society Edwina Livesey reads the 1264 ballad Richard of Almaigne, inspired by a key event in the Battle of Lewes, in its original medieval dialect. She explains how it became the first banned poem in England, how it influenced the Romantic movement in English poetry, and how it created a sensation at the time Tom Paine lived in Lewes, and helped influence his political thinking.

Inside the Rook Inn:

1.30pm – 2.00pm The Battle of Lewes Walk
Discover the new signposted Battle of Lewes Walk on Landport Bottom from the comfort of the Rook Inn, and enjoy this guide to the making of the walk with Battlefields Trust tour guide John Freeman, who worked on this project.

2.05-2.35pm The Battle of Lewes – what happened?
Expert historian Dr Claire Kennan, who appears in the videos about the new Battle of Lewes Walk on Landport Bottom, explores what happened and why, 758 years ago today…

2.40 – 3.10pm Forged in Britain: Making historic swords
Expert swordsmith Rod Hughes shows us some of the real replica swords he has made for films, TV shows and dramas, and shares images of his life and work. For Rod, “swords are iconic, ageless and shaped the world we live in.” *Family friendly

3.15-3.55pm Drawing Inspiration
Artist Ken Robinson was inspired to create images of knights and battles by the Bayeux Tapestry. He now makes and sells unique battle drawings. Come and see how Ken creates his images, and learn about his inspiration, influences, process and research, and about the 'anatomy’ of a battle picture. Take part in a live colouring jam - colouring sheets will be available for younger audience members to enjoy. *Family friendly

10/05/2022

The Battle of Lewes is back! This weekend, a wonderful enjoyable family feast including reenactments through the town, dressed-up shops, history talks, armoury demonstrations, axe throwing, swede rolling, hog roast, fantastic medieval music and a falconry display! Loads more too. What's not to like? SBS May Fayre in Priory Park, unlimited medieval action in Convent Field, talks in the Rook inn, reenactment in the town. And sunshine. Not to be missed:)

14/06/2021

From those that bought you The Battle of Lewes Experience ... please get behind and help the Tide Mills Project ...

Working with local artists and collaborating with the community, LYT are bringing Tide Mills "back to life" from 20th-26th September 2021.

20/01/2020

Really pleased to hear there will be another Battle of Lewes reenactment in May this year - more information about how we can all help at the Chamber of Commerce launch event on 30th January at the Depot.

GET RID OF THE JANUARY BLUES AND LAUNCH YOURSELF INTO 2020! Why not join Lewes Chamber of Commerce for the first of our networking lunches and shake off the January blues. You will get the chance to meet other local businesses, and have delicious food, ready to face the rest of the year. Our lunch e...