Lewes Castle

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Lewes Castle stands at the highest point of Lewes (England, Sussex), on an artificial mound built originally of chalk blocks. The original name was Bray Castle.

The original fortification was a wooden keep, later converted to stone. It is unusual for a motte and bailey construction because it has two mottes.

It was built in 1087 by William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, the brother-in-Law of William the Conqueror. Often known as the Earl of Warrene, William and his descendants also had estates and built castles in Reigate, Surrey (Reigate Castle) and in Yorkshire (Sandal Castle and Conisbrough Castle). When the last of the Warennes John, the 8th Earl died without issue in 1347 he was buried in Lewes monastery and his title passed to his nephew Richard Fitzalan who was also Earl of Arundel.