A Zoom Webinar
John Bleach: The History of Cliffe – an Overview
John Bleach’s talk will suggest answers to some basic historical questions about Cliffe.
Cliffe, like Southover, is today part of Lewes but it has not always been the case. In 1560, Alice Howlter of St Michael’s parish, Lewes, bequeathed £10 for the repair ‘of the west part of the bridge of Lewes’. She was concerned only with the part of the bridge that was the responsibility of those living on the Lewes side of the river. The upkeep of the eastern half of the bridge fell to people living in Cliffe. In the 16th Century Cliffe and Lewes were in different jurisdictions, had been so for centuries, and continued to be so for centuries more.
John comments, “What, then, was Cliffe, and where did it belong? We will identify its location and extent, consider its topography and landscape, look into its likely origins, early days and development from chapelry to parish, and close with some thoughts on its livelihood and material fabric. We will not be plumbing depths as this is an overview, but we might very well be coming across some little-known and surprising history.”
Image: Painting of Cliffe crossroads, by Victoria Hine (1840-1926), undated
To join this talk, you need to
1) register your intention in advance
2) receive our confirmation email with a link to the talk
3) click on that link to attend the talk 10 minutes before it starts
LHG Members can attend our talks for free. We will send members emails with a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above.
Non-members can buy a ticket (£4) from TicketSource. The ticket will provide a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above.
Please join the webinar at 7:20pm.
We would recommend a computer screen or an iPad as a minimum screen-size for viewing our webinars.
Our presenters will be speaking live, and you can ask questions by typing in the Q&A box in Zoom.
See the Talks page for a list of forthcoming monthly events organised by the Lewes History Group.
On Saturday 19th November, Southover Church will be transformed into a venue fit for a King. There will be hog roast with all the trimmings, good wine and spiced apple and quince crumble. (Vegetarian options available).
Lewes History Group 