LEWES CASTLE

Sussex

Lewes Castle is a curiosity.  To start with it has two mottes - a feature shared only with Lincoln Castle - both of which seem to have had a keep built on them.  Also, considering it is in the county town of Sussex; a county which has a violent history and was frequently the subject of refortifications due to its proximity to Europe, Lewes Castle ceased to have much of a function after as early a date as 1347.

The Castle was begun by William de Warenne, probably early after the Conquest.  His son, also William, was probably responsible for the keep(s) and curtain walling.  Much of his work still remains, although much is obscured by modern housing (indeed the second motte - the Brack Mount - is outside the current Castle grounds).  The Castle's best feature, the Barbican Gate (pictured above), was added in the early 1300s by the last of the de Warennes, John.  On his death in 1347 the Castle passed to the Fitzalans from Arundel.  They had little interest in the Castle and it fell into decay.

The Castle only really saw action during the Battle of Lewes (1268).

The Castle is open to the public during the summer months.

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2009