Who did they burn at Lewes?
Emma Martin
Published Mar 15, 2026
Who did they burn at Lewes?
Two Trump figures were set alight in Lewes in 2016, at the culmination of its annual fireworks event. Other effigies which went up in flames in Lewes included Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and David Cameron.
Does Lewes still burn the Pope?
In the mid 19th century the practice of burning an effigy of Pope Paul V at the Lewes Bonfire celebrations began. His intervention back-fired and the following year he was burned in effigy. Today, anti-Catholic attitudes are rare and the militant Calvinism that continues in Northern Ireland is all but extinct in Lewes.
Is Lewes Bonfire 2020 Cancelled?
Canceled
2020 Lewes Bonfire/Date
Why do they burn the pope in Lewes?
Participants also carried burning barrels and crosses. These hark back to the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt in Lewes during the reign of Mary I. Pope effigies are also common and are meant to represent Pope Paul V who led the Catholic Church at the time the martyrs were burnt.
How many bonfire societies are there in Lewes?
seven
There has been over the years over 25 Lewes Bonfire society,s in Lewes, now there is just seven active bonfire societies in Lewes, Cliffe Bonfire Society, Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, Commercial Square Bonfire Society, South Street Bonfire Society, Waterloo Bonfire Society, Southover Bonfire Society and Nevill …
Why does Sussex have bonfire societies?
The Lewes Police called-in re-enforcements from London and by the next day a Police line surrounded County Hall. That night the Bonfire Boys celebrated back on the streets of Lewes and similar Bonfire festivities spread to other places across East Sussex for the rest of November. So local Bonfire societies were born.
Is Lewes anti Catholic?
Lewesians are keen to stress that this isn’t an effigy of the Pope per se, but an effigy of Pope Paul V, who was Pope when those 17 Protestant martyrs were burnt here. And though the roots of this ceremony are anti-Catholic (as is Guy Fawkes Night), its modern incarnation is strictly non-Sectarian.
How do you get Lewes Bonfire tickets?
You can get your tickets at any independent retailer/pub or the Lewes tourist information center or the Cliffe Precinct area in the two or three Saturdays leading up to the Fifth or online at the Bonfire Society Website.
Is Lewes bonfire going ahead?
Bonfire fans will be happy to know Lewes Bonfire Night will be going ahead this year. Thousands of people will flock to Lewes on November 5 to mark Guy Fawkes Night and see the sky light up with fireworks.