Discovering Lewes

[poliphilo]

I'd always thought Lewes High Street terminated at the bottom of the hill, but yesterday we found it actually crosses the river and carries on all the way to Cliffe- and there are some cracking antique emporiums down the far end. Ailz bought rings and I bought prints by Hogarth. Hogarth's prints aren't rare; his plates passed from hand to hand and some of them continued to be used right through the 19th century. It takes an expert- and even they aren't always sure- to tell an early impression from a late one. Never mind; I got four prints by one of the greatest 18th century artists for £12 apiece and I'm immensely chuffed. They're from the series Industry and Idleness- and include the much reproduced image of a public hanging.

St Thomas Becket church at Cliffe contains this- the coat of arms of Elizabeth I in plaster- dated 1598. It's a rare survival- and I can't say I've seen its like before.  I love the wonky lion.