(Wednesday, 14th May, 1264)
On Sunday 11th May, Simon de Montfort the Earl of Leicester, and his forces were established at Fletching, a small village 11 km to the north of Lewes.
The following day "some who were with the Earl of Leicester appeared near Lewes". Possibly these were a reconnoitering party checking the high downs to the west of the town, as they were pursued by elements of the King's army up to "the summit of a hill west of Lewes" were they witnessed Montfort's army "in the valleys near a wood": probably Warningore Wood. click for map
The royal forces did not descend to fight the rebels, but instead settled for a small action "in a valley near the hill" (possibly Coombe Hollow to the north of Mount Harry) where a skirmish occurred between Warenne and a baronial foraging party. Around noon King Henry's army with Warenne returned to Lewes.
At this point, Simon de Montfort sent the bishop of Chichester and a party of friars to the king. They offered a final peace settlement. In it, the Provisions of Oxford were to be re-affirmed but points in them could be submitted to the arbitration of a panel of learned ecclesiasts. In addition, the bishops of London and Worcester came to offer compensation to the king to the sum of £30000 for damages and to suggest that they submit to this 'Form of Peace' tabled by the bishop of Chichester. Their offer was particularly directed at Richard of Cornwall , the king's brother (whose damages had been great, and whose influence over the king was seen as strong).
Battle of Lewes
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