The Downs at the back of Lewes and Offham are a peaceful place these days but it was a very different story 750 years ago.

On May 14, 1264, this area was the scene of the Battle of Lewes, a bloody affair which caused widespread death and destruction.

It resulted in an unexpected victory for the barons led by Simon de Montfort, the dashing Earl of Leicester, over Henry III, the unpopular King of England.

Although de Montfort was outnumbered, he was able to claim success after tactical mistakes by the monarch and his son, Prince Edward.

Henry had been lodged safely in Lewes Castle and St Pancras Priory but decided to leave them to confront the barons who were nearby – a tactic with a surprise element which initially was successful.

But Edward, having routed part of the army with a cavalry charge, pursued the men most of the way to Halland, about six miles from Lewes.

This left the King exposed on one side, forcing him to attack the barons up Offham Hill where they were at a huge disadvantage. De Montfort had wisely moved his men into a nearly impregnable position.

Descending to inevitable defeat, the King retreated to the priory and castle. Even when Edward came back prepared to fight, it was too late and the town had already been damaged.

Henry was eventually compelled to sign a treaty handing over many of his powers to his fierce rival, while Edward was made a hostage.

For a few months, de Montfort was in effect the uncrowned king of England but Lewes was his high point. Within a year he was defeated and dead.

Firstly Edward made an audacious escape from captivity and secondly de Montfort was emphatically beaten at the Battle of Evesham in August 1265.

Facing hopeless odds, he bravely led out his men but was overwhelmed and killed quickly.

Historian Timothy Venning says the hatred aroused by de Montfort among his rivals was shown by the way in which they swiftly and savagely hacked his body to pieces.

Venning has included the Battle of Lewes in his challenging look at Britain after the Norman Conquest.

Some of the blame may be placed with the King’s son, soon to become Edward I, who was personally vindictive for much of his life.

The arrogance of de Montfort’s four adult sons, an aggressive quartet even for those times, added to the problem.

Not much remains today of this fierce battle which for a short time threatened to change the course of history. Housing has been built on the lower slopes of the site.

But there are footpaths leading to part of the battleground near the Nevill estate where you can still see the steep slopes that Henry found so daunting.

  • An Alternative History Of Britain: Normans And Early Plantagenets by Timothy Venning is published by Pen And Sword, priced £19.99
  • Events to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Lewes are being held in Lewes this month