The Life & Times of William de Warenne Builder of Lewes Castle
William de Warenne started life as the younger son of a provincial Norman lordling and rose to be one of the richest and most influential men in post-Conquest England. With substantial holdings in fifteen counties; the builder of five castles and two priories, Warenne’s was the ultimate success story of 1066. What made this man so special? An illustrated talk about his life and times is an ideal introduction to your visit to Lewes Castle, the largest and most strategically important of all his castles.
The Secret Life of the Bayeux Tapestry
Every school child has heard of the Bayeux Tapestry. It is possibly the most iconic artefact in the whole of English History telling the story of the battle of Hastings and the death of King Harold with an arrow in his eye. A piece of Norman propaganda or is it? The Tapestry has woven within its lengths many stories and Duke William is not always the hero! This illustrated talk about the Bayeux Tapestry attempts to read between the lines and tell the true story behind castles like Lewes.
The Art of Building a Castle
Before the Norman Conquest, there were only a handful of buildings in England that might be termed a castle. Yet after 1066 and for the next 350 years, castle building became the done thing for every aspiring monarch and for many of their nobles. This illustrated talk, which looks at all the factors that came into play in locating a castle; how the castle dictated warfare for hundreds of years; how every advance in weapon technology brought about a corresponding advance in castle design and what finally caused their downfall, is the perfect companion to visiting Lewes Castle.
The Life & Times of Anne of Cleves
She has come down to us from history as the Flanders Mare, the Queen Henry VIII could not wait to divorce. But who was the real Anne? Why was she thought to be the perfect bride for the King of England? And what happened to her after she and Henry separated? This illustrated talk, about her life and the times in which she lived, provides the historical background to your visit to Anne of Cleves House.
Food & Drink in Tudor England
Learn about the ingredients, the cooking and the customs associated with wining and dining in Tudor England. From the food eaten by peasants in the fields through to the banquets set before a king, Tudor cuisine speaks volumes about exploration, aspiration and occasionally expiration! This illustrated talk provides an interesting insight into the world of Anne of Cleves House.
The Art of Building a Wealden House
Built and owned in the late 15th century by the monks of Lewes Priory, Anne of Cleves House started life as an inn, a lodging house for important visitors to the Priory. Since then, its spectacular design, unique to the Weald of Sussex and Kent, has been moulded and adapted to suit a variety of uses. This illustrated talk, shows how the house was constructed; how each generation remodelled its layout and what lessons in sustainable building it has for our own times, is an ideal accompaniment to your visit to Anne of Cleves House.
