Battle of Lewes!

Sunday 14th May 2023

This morning I walked over to Pells Pool (15 minutes flat walk) and went swimming for the first time in Lewes. It was 16 degrees C - the pool is fed by a cold spring and not heated. So I had my shortie wet suit on. I was a bit concerned as there seemed to be a lot of people there but actually the pool is pretty big and there wasnt any problem - still not quite like swimming in a lake though! -

This weekend it is the Battle of Lewes! Apparently Lewes is the only place in the UK that allows re-enacters to battle through the streets of a town (rather than just on a field). We started up at the Black Swan and they fought their way down past the Castle and onto Priory Field for the final battle. They were amazing, it was another hot day and they were all dressed up - I don't know how they did it! Henry 3rd and his son Edward 1st lost to Simon de Montfort and the barons. The king made a classic tactical error and firstly assumed that he would win as he had more men and horses and secondly he was at the bottom of the valley and Simon de Montfort and his crew were at the top of the Downs - guess who won? Lovely day out and very typically Lewesian!