Lewes Castle

Lewes Castle, located in the south-eastern region of England, towers over the surrounding Saxon town of Lewes, the river Ouse, and the forest of East Sussex. Like many castles in Britain, it dates back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It rests on an artificial mound with blocks of native chalk at its core. The original fortification was named Bray Castle.

The oval shaped bailey is now partially covered as town development has encroached on the castle boundary. Damage and decay over the centuries, plus looting of the Castle for building material, has left many of the buildings in ruins. However, evidence remains of the castle's two mottes; this is unusual for motte and bailey castles, and only one other example of a double-motte castle exists in England (Lincoln Castle). The smaller motte, Brack's Mount, is though to be the first constructed. It is at the northeast end of the bailey and only fragments remain. The larger motte in the southwest is mostly intact, but the best-preserved part of the castle is the magnificent barbican, one of the best in England.