The March on Lewes
Commemorate the Battle of Lewes 14 May 1264
Advance Guard walk Tuesday 14 May THIS YEAR starting Fletching Village Hall, 9.30am
BOOK A PLACE ON THE WALK AND ON THE RETURN MINIBUS
The March on Lewes commemorates the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Lewes of 14 May 1264, when the Barons’ army led by Simon de Montfort beat King Henry III and forced him to consult his nobles in future – so marking the beginnings of representative government in England.
“The March on Lewes” this year is a pilot to test the scope for 2014, teaming up Mid Sussex Ramblers and the Sussex Archaeological Society. We shall trace some of the paths that some of the Barons’ army might have taken in 1264 from Fletching – a manorial holding of Simon de Montfort – down to Lewes.
Join our advance guard: walk the route on Tuesday 14 May 2013, the battle anniversary
· Open to fit long-distance walkers – it’s a 12.6 mile hike.
· If you don’t feel up to the full distance, you can do a shorter walk of 11 miles by joining the party at Newick, or 7.5 miles joining at South Chailey. Wherever you start you will have a steep climb up the South Downs, so you’ll need to save some breath for the ascent!
· We expect to take up to seven hours – including stops en route for refreshments (bring your own) – and a brief stop at the Half Moon, Plumpton.
The route – and some history
An account of the battle, including the route Montfort took to it, is given in David Carpenter’s booklet, The Battles of Lewes and Evesham, 1264-65, Mercia Publications, 1987(out of print, but a new edition is expected).
Our objective is Boxholte, an ancient meeting place on top of the Downs near Blackcap that is known to have been the gathering-place for Montfort’s army. In the 13th century Boxholte was the site of the sheriff's tourn (a court held during his tours) in the rape of Lewes: so it was an official administrative site of which there would have been local and regional awareness.
The location of Boxholte was re-discovered quite recently by Christopher Whittick, East Sussex County Archivist, and John Bleach, Sussex Archaeological Society – found via SAS’s index volumes, leading to estate papers and a map of 1772. Local history lives on, thanks to the Archaeological Society and the Record Office!
Our walk cannot be a re-enactment of the Montfort approach to Lewes in 1264:
· According to historians’ interpretation of the records, he advanced in stages over three days. We are doing it in a few hours.
· Whatever combination of pathways his troops may have taken, we are taking modern public footpaths.
· We are hastily crossing the modern roads we meet. These roads may perhaps have been some of his men’s favoured trackways.
· And once up on the Downs, after our 12-mile trek we are heading not for battle on the slopes but for tea at Lewes Castle.
09.30 Depart Fletching Village Hall TQ 429 235 – Newick – South Chailey – Hurst Barns – Whitehouse Farm – Warningore Farm – Half Moon pub, Plumpton – Boxholte – Lewes.
Sorry, no dogs.
Advice for walkers
This is a long walk of 12.6 miles, through mostly beautiful, easy, flat terrain except for the short but steep climb up the Downs, and is suitable for fit, regular walkers. Sturdy footwear, long trousers, and long-sleeved clothes are advised, and multiple layers of clothing including rain-proofs. The route includes road crossings and an unattended railway crossing. Walkers who wish to drop out will need to make their own arrangements to get home. Bring a mobile phone if you have one. The walk will be led by an experienced member of Mid Sussex Ramblers.
Minibus return
A minibus (£6 per head) will return us to the start to collect cars. It is essential that you book the walk AND your return journey as places will be limited. Please print out and complete the booking form and return it to the Mid Sussex Ramblers address shown, with your payment.
Next year
It is hoped to organise another walk next year (date to be confirmed), as one of many events held in Lewes to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Lewes in May 2014. For more information about these events go to: http://sussexpast.co.uk/battle-of-lewes-main
Enquiries: Peter Varlow, Battle of Lewes Action Group, 01825 723 768.
Bookings: please use Booking Form below.
Print out this form and send with your payment to the address below.
The March on Lewes – Advance Guard walk, Tuesday 14 May 2013
Booking Form
Please book me a place on the walk and on the minibus for the return journey from Lewes to Fletching on Tuesday 14 May 2013.
I enclose a cheque for £6 per person made payable to ‘The Ramblers, Mid Sussex’.
I will join the March at the start at Fletching……………(tick)
OR
I will not join the March at Fletching, I will join at either Newick or South Chailey….….(tick)
(If you are not joining at the start at Fletching, please provide your mobile phone number)
Name(s) ………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Phone…………………………………………Email…………………………………………………..
Please print this form and return the form and payment to:
Mid Sussex Ramblers
18 Newlands Park Way
Newick
Lewes
East Sussex
BN8 4PG
We will re-confirm the arrangements to you early in May.