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The Importance of Lewes
King Henry the 3rd (1207-1272) had arranged for the Provisions of Oxford agreement to be annulled. He wanted to be the devine rule of England and not have interference from the Barons. The Earl de Montfort and his allies considered this to be wrong and wished to have representation from the people to influence the Kings decisions. Because of this fundlemental disagreement civil war broke out that became known as the War of the Barons. The battle at Lewes was successful in as much as King Henry and his son, the future king Edward 1st were captured and held prisoner in Lewes Priory. Photos ...
The Battleground
Although historians do not know precisely the area that the main fighting took place, they do agree that Simon de Monfort, the Earl of Leicester set up his divisions at the top of Offham hill, 2 miles to the north of Lewes. The King was surprised the morning of the 14th to find them waiting to engage in the assult and he barely had time to ready his defending troops before the battle commenced..
The Priory
The ruined Priory of St Pancras lies to the south of the town, now in a state of ruin, not due to the battle, but a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries between 1536 and 1541 ordered by King Henry the 8th. It was here that Henry 3rd and his troops retreated and were captured by the Earl at the end of the battle. Simon De Montfort was eventually killed in Evesham at a second battle on 4th August 1265, but these two encounters are considered decisive in the bring about the brith of the modern Parliament that we have today.
