Lewes was one of Alfred most carefully planned Sussex burhs, with the characteristic grid street pattern still partially visible in the modern town. The burh controlled the crossing of the River Ouse and the main route through the South Downs. The Burghal Hidage assigns Lewes a garrison of around 1,400 men. Its planned layout showed the same urban design principles as Winchester, demonstrating Alfred approach to creating functioning military towns rather than simple fortifications.
West Saxon royal engineers and Sussex fyrd
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