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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Lewes
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(15,000 in 1991) County town and administrative centre of East Sussex. Its importance derived from the Norman castle, begun in the late 11C but largely destroyed in the 17C (apart from an impressive 14C barbican). It was at Lewes that Simon de *Montfort won his crucial victory over Henry III in 1264. The town, on its hill site, consists now of a very pleasant mixture of architecture spanning several centuries. It is noted for its great procession and bonfire on *Guy Fawkes Night, an event which is undeniably spectacular but tainted by displays of anti-papist bigotry in the burning of specifically Catholic effigies.
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