Three Round Towers is a work of fiction, however on occasion, I have peopled my tale with characters that already hold a notable place in history. Their story is the work of others but it would be remiss of me not to mention such people. One is Cater Rand, whose engineering works on the River Ouse made a material difference to workers, travellers, sailors – and smugglers. Another, John Ellman, created and developed the Southdown breed of sheep, which became the most successful breed of that time and for many years to come. His work would have been of particular interest to other farmers and stockmen of that time and later, just as it was to my fictional character, Farmer Elwood.
The use of currency, both coin and paper, is integral to my story and I have taken the liberty of bringing the common usage of paper money forward in time in the interest of a good tale.
Esther’s story could be that of any bright young woman of that period. The intelligence and ambition to rise above the difficulties of time and place and carve a position for herself in a solidly male world where the poor and friendless suffered a hard existence with starvation, deprivation and rampant disease never far away make her unusual but not unique.
The three round towered churches at Lewes, (St Michael’s) Southease, (St Peter’s) and Piddinghoe, (St John’s) speak to me of an older history before the Normans came and put their own stamp on the style of building. The ambience of each of them is, to me, palpable and I hope I have managed to convey that in my tale.
Old Hamsey Church, where my story begins is now largely unused (though I have been to a candlelit Christmas Carol service there) and it is wonderfully evocative and it was whilst sitting in amongst the gravestones on a beautiful sunny day that I felt the germ of my story take root.
St Anne’s Church where Cecilia and Esther went to pray at the shrine would, at that time, have been outside the walls of the Lewes town and was known as a pilgrimage church. The anchoress who took up residence inside the church would probably have had a decent space to occupy and perhaps a small garden. Her remains were treated respectfully when alterations were made in that they were uncovered and reinterred within the main body of the church. All of the churches I have mentioned have their own points of interest and are worth visiting though I would suggest that to truly understand the character of these places of worship and social gathering a guide or parishioner who knows their stuff is worth seeking.
I would like to add a note of thanks to the Sussex Archaeological Society, owners and guardians of Michelham Priory whose little pamphlet The Physic Garden provided details of herbal usage – the pleasure of visits to the current herb garden was all mine.
Finally, I am not an historian and I would like to thank the many local writers and historians whose work I read and, in some cases, used to provide background knowledge. Their names and works are all listed at the end of this book and to whom I commend further reading.