Originally known as Bray Castle, Lewes Castle stands on a man-made hill to the north of the town’s High Street. Its limestone and flint construction follows a ‘motte and bailey’ design, with a keep on a raised earthwork (the motte) overlooking an enclosed courtyard (the bailey). Although over 600 motte castles or motte-and-bailey castles are recorded nationally, Lewes is one of only two that have two mottes. (The only other castle in England to have that structure is at Lincoln.) Brack Mount was the first motte, completed shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The second motte, known as the Keep, was completed later in the 11th century. The castle was originally built by William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey. Most recently, it was leased by Sussex Archaeological Society from 1850 before being acquired by Charles Thomas-Stanford and gifted to the Sussex Archaeological Society in 1922. Today, Lewes Castle is a popular tourist attraction that’s open to the public. There are also a number of events and activities held at the castle and the adjoining museum throughout the year.
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