Lewes Martyrs

[suey]

where do I know that name from or that name seems familiar......

I think as we study these small villages in depth you get to know most of the inhabitants or so it feels 

I know just what you mean...I've been up and down the Census in the East Sussex Villages so many times that they all feel like family 

[Rod In Sussex]

Can I correct what is a longstanding myth please? The martyrs were not held in the cellars of the Star Inn, now the Town Hall and there is no historical basis for any prisoners to have ever been held in the Inn’s cellar. I seem to recall that this was an advertising scam by the owner of this old coaching Inn in the Georgian period. They were more likely to have been held in the West Gate tower that was used in the 1550s as the town lock up. But it is a good story that has improved with the telling and retelling over the years! The old West Gate tower is a few hundred yards down the High Street, in the narrows by Pipe Passage.

Dr Graham Mayhew, a local historian, had met one of the ancestors of Derrick Carver some 20 years ago, when he was giving a talk on the Lewes history. I cannot remember all the details as it was over 15 years ago that he told a group of us when he referred to this in another talk he was giving.

Hope no one minds me correcting this!

Rod

[kerryb]

Hi Rod

I certainly don't mind your correction, to my mind it seems more likely and obvious anyway when you think about it.  West Gate Tower - Castle - stronghold, thank you for the correction.

I have done a bit of exploring of Lewes over the last few occasions I've been, mainly trying to find my way from car park to Record Office or SFHG library and some of the twittens have wonderful names and are very easy to get lost in!

Kerry

[Rod In Sussex]

Kerry,

I sometimes do a guided tour of Lewes for small groups of friends. There is so much histroy to see and so much that can be missed if you do not know the town. Send me a PM if you would like me to contact you next time I am doing one. If anyone else would be interested, I might even do a Roots Chat tour one weekend!

Rod

[kerryb]

Rod

Perhaps we ought to take you up on that! 

Our county town is obviously full of history which looks interesting but I confess I really know very little about the history of Lewes and I only live 14 miles away.  For instance how did the current town evolve with all the higgeldy piggeldy twittens!

Kerry

[Paula42]

Hi
I started researching my family tree because I wondered if I might be related to one of the martyrs knowing that many of my family come from that way, myself having been baptised at Warbleton. Eighteen months later I have not found a link and do not think I will but researching the family tree has certainly turned into a full time hobby.

We used to go to many of the bonfires each weekend including Lewes but I never knew of the religious connections until many years later.

Paula

[sucram]

found out recently that there is a family connection to margery morris and a relative in canada

[Nick B]

Does anyone know a source that can confirm whether it was Alexander Hosman as at the beginning of this thread, or Alexander Hosmer?
Thanks, Nick