LEWES - St John Sub Castro

[Chris in 1066Land]

Rains4

As I said before - happy to oblige.

If you need any further help with Sussex, you know where to find me

Chris in 1066Land

[rjr]

Hi Chris, or anyone else know can tell me about St John-sub-Castro

I'm a researcher on Anglo-Saxon history at Cambridge University (specifically on Anglo-Saxon charters), and I am very keen to get hold of an image of the monument to Magnus which came from the old church and is now on the East wall.  Descriptions I have come across about it sometimes use the term 'Lombardic letters', but one said there were Anglo-Saxon letter-forms, and I'd be really interested to see a picture and decide for myself.  (Also although my main area of expertise is manuscripts (I used to work in the manuscripts department at the British Library) and not inscriptions, if anyone would be interested in my opinion I'd be happy to give it...)

I realise that this is not so much a genealogy question as a local history one, and I hope that I don't annoy anyone by posting on this board -- but there is a sort-of family history link because it has been suggested that this Magnus is a relative (brother? son?) of Harold II, something else I would also like to check out.  But I think I need a picture before I can really start looking into all these things, so if anyone can help I'd be really very grateful!

Rebecca

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Rebecca

How about this

Chris in 1066Land

[rjr]

Thanks! -- I hadn't realised it was as large as that, I was expecting a rectangular plaque.  It gives an excellent impression of the monument as a whole, but I can't see individual letters very well.  If you have any closer views of the letters I'd be very interested in seeing them, but I can see that that would be rather harder given the size of the monument.  Thanks for your help

Rebecca

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again

From 'Historic Lewes and its Buildings'  - Lewes Town Council Official Guide

"In the aisle wall rests the former chancel arch, with a medieval Lombardic inscription about Prince Magnus, a Danish warrior, who became an anchorite here. A picture of it in William Camdens Brittannia (1586) was the first archaeological illustration in an English printed book"

Chris in 1066Land

PS - I will be in Lewes on Monday next, can take close up pics then (have a 5 million pix camera) if you require.

[rjr]

Thanks, that's brilliant!  I'll go and have a look at what Camden says -- I hadn't realised he'd reproduced it.  Thanks also for the book reference!

Rebecca

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Rebecca

Thats OK

Dont forget to tell everyone at Cambridge University how helpful we are here on rootschat - and its totally free

Your initial query was answered in just 4 mins

Sorry, got to blow our trumpet now and again

I personally would be interested in learning more about Magnus and the Inscription

Chris in 1066Land

[rjr]

Will do -- I was very impressed by the speed!  I'll show my boss Camden's copy, and see what he has to say about it, and then gather what information I can about Magnus.  Thanks again!

Rebecca

[dylan]

Hi Chris,
When time permits, could you have a look for burials   for Thomas and Ann Ellis, Thomas would be before 1851 and Ann after 1870,
Many thanks
Dylan