The Helmet
| Browse information by: Location Makers General Information Classification Object Parts Object Condition History References Photographs |  Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright for Photograph: Creative Commons |
Location
| Street: | Cockshutt Road |
| Town: | Lewes |
| Parish: | Lewes |
| Council: | Lewes District Council |
| County: | East Sussex |
| Postcode: | BN7 |
| Location on Google Map | |
| Object setting: | Public Park |
| Access is: | Public |
| Location note: | In the grounds of Lewes Priory, on the site of the Battle of Lewes |
| In the AZ book: | East Sussex |
| Page: | 115 |
| Grid reference: | J6 |
| The A-Z books used are A-Z East Sussex and A-Z West Sussex (Editions 1A 2005). Geographers' A-Z Map Company Ltd. Sevenoaks. | |
| OS Reference: | TQ415096 |
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Makers
| Company/Group : | The Morris Singer Company Ltd. |
| Role: | Foundry |
| Name : | Enzo Plazzotta |
| Role: | Sculptor |
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General Information
| Commissioned by: | Sir Tufton Beamish |
| Installation date: | 1964 |
| Work is: | Extant |
| Owner custodian: | Lewes Town Council |
| Object listing: | Not listed |
| Description: | Sculpture suggests a medieval helmet crowned by a frieze in bas-relief by the lost wax process. The frieze has eight scenes depicting stories told by contemporary chronicles about the Battle of Lewes. The words around the frieze are taken from 'The Song of Lewes', a long and complex Latin poem written by an unknown churchman after the battle. |
| Inscription: | NOW ENGLISHMEN, READ ON ABOUT THIS BATTLE FOUGHT AT LEWES' WALLS. BECAUSE OF THIS YOU ARE ALIVE AND SAFE. REJOICE THEN IN GOD LAW IS LIKE FIRE, FOR IT LIGHTS AS TRUTH, WARMS AS CHARITY, BURNS AS ZEAL. WITH THESE VIRTUES AS HIS GUIDES, THE KING WILL RULE WELL. At the bottom of the sculpture, on the base, small bronze plaque: PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF LEWES BY THEIR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SIR TUFTON BEAMISH, M.C. TO MARK THE 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF LEWES FOUGHT ON THE 14TH MAY 1264 AND UNVEILED BY THE DUKE OF NORFOLK, E.M., K.O. DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY ENZO PLAZZOTTA |
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Classification
| Categories: | Commemorative, Sculptural, Free Standing |
| Object type1: | Sculpture |
| Subject type1: | Pictorial |
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Object Parts
| Part 1: | Sculpture |
| Material: | Sand-cast aluminium |
| Height (cm): | 450 |
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Object Condition
| Overall condition: | Good |
| Risk assessment: | No known risk |
| Date of on-site inspection: | 23/05/2007 |
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History
| History: | The statue was presented to the people of Lewes by Sir Tufton Beamish, M.C., the MP for Lewes. It was to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle fought on 14 May 1264. The battle was fought to the West of the town between the barons, led by Simon de Montfort and Henry III. Simon de Montfort won a famous victory taking Henry prisoner and occupying Lewes.
('The Battle of Lewes Memorial') The monument was unveiled by the Duke of Norfolk. '...crowned by a frieze in bas-relief by the lost wax process. Eight scenes illustrating stories told by contemporary chronicles about the battle. The words around the frieze are taken from 'The Song of Lewes', a long and complex latin poem written by an unknown churchman after the battle' ('The Battle of Lewes Memorial') |
| Hard archive file: | Yes |
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References
| Source 1 : | |
| Title: | 'The Battle of Lewes Memorial' |
| Type: | Book |
| Author: | Alison, Christopher. |
| Publisher: | W.E. Baxter Ltd. Lewes |
| Source 2 : | |
| Title: | 'Open Air Sculpture of Britain: A Comprehensive Guide' |
| Type: | Book |
| Author: | Strachan, W.J. |
| Date: | 00/00/1984 |
| Publisher: | A.Zwemmer Ltd. & Tate Gallery. London. |
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Photographs
Date: 23/05/2007 Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |  Date: 23/05/2007 Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |
 Date: 23/05/2007 Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |  Date: 23/05/2007 Author: Anthony McIntosh Copyright: Creative Commons |
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