4th, 7th, 11th & 14th May at 7:30pm on line
"Looking back 900 years"
This series of 16 illustrated short talks about the colourful history of one of the top ten monasteries in England is presented by the Lewes Priory Trust in four Symposia, on:
Tues 4 May
Fri 7 May
Tues 11 May
Fri 14 May
All at 7:30pm to about 9pm.
You can attend any or all of the talks, at no charge.
You must register with Zoom in advance for each of the four Symposia, using the links below.
PROGRAMME
SYMPOSIUM 1
Tues 4 May 7:30pm
“What did the Cluniacs ever do for us?”
Sy Morse-Brown, Chairman of Lewes Priory Trust
A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE TRUST’S ORIGIN AND ORGANISATION
Sy Morse-Brown
THE PRIORY – A SUMMARY
The magnificence that was; what remains; what it might be in the future.
Dr Graham Mayhew FRHistS, Retired lecturer and author of The Monks of Saint Pancras (2014)
THE PRIORY OF SAINT PANCRAS AND CLUNIAC MONASTICISM IN ENGLAND – THE PATHWAY TO HEAVEN
Lewes Priory made a major mark on England, especially in Yorkshire and Norfolk, and on its doorstep in Sussex. Just what was so special about Cluniac monasticism?
Tony Freeman, Lewes Priory Trustee
LEWES PRIORY’S INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
Cluny was a great monastic network across Western Europe, in existence for 150 years before it reached Britain. A renowned focus of spirituality, the Cluniac order attracted the greatest scholars and administrators and put Lewes firmly on the European map.
Questions and discussion
SYMPOSIUM 2
Fri 7 May 7:30pm
“The destruction and rediscovery of the Priory”
Chris McGovern, Educational Contrarian
GIOVANNI PORTINARI: THOMAS CROMWELL’S ENGINEER WHO BLEW UP THE PRIORY
The monasterial Guido Fawkes - what he did to Lewes Priory, and who he was.
Chris Grove, Lewes Priory Trustee
THE INVASION OF THE RAILWAY AND REDISCOVERY OF THE PRIORY
The construction of the railway in 1844-6, and how the excavations at the end of the nineteenth century have left what we see today.
Arthur Franklin, Lewes Priory Trustee and member of the Research Group
THE PRIORY ALL AROUND US
Plundered and recycled since 1537, the remains of the Priory can be discovered in and around the town of Lewes.
Marcus Taylor, Custodian of the Gundrada Chapel
WILLIAM AND GUNDRADA DE WARENNE
A partnership of power and piety that produced Lewes Priory.
Questions and discussion
SYMPOSIUM 3
Tues 11 May 7:30pm
“Caring for a heritage site into the future”
Steve Brigden, Town Clerk
LOOKING AFTER A SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT IN A PUBLIC PARK
Lewes Town Council – the latest of the many dynasties of Priory owners and benefactors – provides core funding and support for maintenance of the Priory remains and park.
Richard Andrews, Architect to the Trust
THE PRIORY REMAINS – WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO PRESERVE?
Care of the Priory started under Walter Godfrey in 1949 and was continued by his son Emil Godfrey who involved Richard in 1975. He has remained in post ever since.
David Smith, The Flintman Company
A FLINT KNAPPER’S VIEW OF THE PRIORY
An insight into building and conservation of stone, flint and chalk.
Sy Morse-Brown, Chairman
THE PRIORY EARNING ITS KEEP
The Trust’s community engagement and education programmes.
Questions and discussion
SYMPOSIUM 4
Fri 14 May 7:30pm
“What the latest research is telling us”
Paul R. Benjamin, University Professor and Lewes Priory Trustee
THE LAVATORIUM COMPLEX AND ITS UNIQUE MEDIEVAL TUNNEL
Photographs, 3D laser images and computer reconstructions demonstrate how the water supply to the lavatorium cistern and basin and its tunnel drainage system were organized in the 12th/13th century for the monks of St Pancras to take part in a religious ceremony before meals – the washing of hands and faces.
Tom Sholl, Retired family dentist and active historian
MEET A MONK
How recognisable facial features, in effigy, are created.
Arthur Franklin, Lewes Priory Trustee and member of the Research Group
WHAT ST JOHN HOPE DID NOT TELL US ABOUT THE INFIRMARY
Despite the extensive 1901-2 excavations by St John Hope there is still much more to dis- cover. Proposals for a programme of new investigations have received a positive response from Historic England.
Colin Brent, Member of the Priory Research Group
THE FATE OF THE FIRST CHURCH: INFIRMARY CHAPEL, OR THOMAS BECKET’S CHAPEL?
A re-statement of the evidence of 1375 for a Lady Chapel in the Great Church and for a Chapel of Saint Thomas Becket in its precinct – the latter perhaps in the still intact first monastic church.
Concluding questions and discussion
Download a PDF of the above Programme (does not contain the Registration links)
Download Lewes_Priory_Symposia_May_2021.pdf...