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Print

Artist/Maker

This print by J.H. Hurdis shows a dinner given in Southover, Lewes, Sussex, to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria on 28 June 1838. The event was held near the ruins of Lewes Priory, in a sunken area known as the Dripping Pan. The day's celebrations were described in some detail in the Lewes Town Book:

"The town was wakened early by the peal of Old Gabriel and the bells of the parish churches. Work was set aside for the day. The central table was 100 yards long and had 68 side tables, each 42 feet long, on either side. There were 232 joints of beef, veal, lamb, pork and ham, in all a pound of meat for each participant, plus vegetables. To follow were 414 ‘plumb puddings’, the largest of which weighed 58 lbs. The meat was carved by 204 gentlemen and respectable tradesmen, with 408 of their sons and daughters acting as waiters. All the town breweries provided hogsheads of beer. There were processions, bands, trumpets to announce Grace, cannon and sports. Naturally in Lewes, the evening concluded with fireworks." (Lewes History Group, Bulletin 96, July 2018.)

The conical-shaped Mount can be seen nearby (middle left), and Lewes Castle is in the distance (middle right). Surrounded by earth banks and flint walls, the Dripping Pan later became the site of Lewes Town Football Club.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Etching by James Henry Hurdis. A view of a dinner to the poor of the district given in the Priory Grounds by the inhabitants of Lewes. Produced to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.75in
  • Width: 21in
Marks and inscriptions
  • I H Hurdis. In et fecit, Newick. (etched to the bottom right of the image)
  • This Print is respectfully dedicated to the inhabitants of Lewes and its Vicinity who envinced their Loyalty and benevolence by giving a dinner to 3900 Poor Persons of the Parishes of St. Ann's, St. John's, St. Michael's, All Saint's, South Malling and Southover. to commemorate the Coronation of her most gracious Majesty. VICTORIA.1. The priory grounds were chosen as the most appropriate spot for the occasion. 612 Gentlemen officiated as Carvers and Attendants. (The word "Lewes" has a dot above the second "e", making it look rather like an "i".)
  • Publishd by R.W. Lower High St. Lewes (etched centre bottom)
  • To commemorate the Coronation of her Majesty Victoria June 28 AD 1838 (on scrolling either side of a royal coat of arms in the centre of the top half of the image)
  • Given in LEWES. the Priory Grounds SUSSEX. Southover 1838. (on scrolling under a Royal coat of arms in the centre of the top half of the image)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Andrew Pearson
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Summary
This print by J.H. Hurdis shows a dinner given in Southover, Lewes, Sussex, to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria on 28 June 1838. The event was held near the ruins of Lewes Priory, in a sunken area known as the Dripping Pan. The day's celebrations were described in some detail in the Lewes Town Book:

"The town was wakened early by the peal of Old Gabriel and the bells of the parish churches. Work was set aside for the day. The central table was 100 yards long and had 68 side tables, each 42 feet long, on either side. There were 232 joints of beef, veal, lamb, pork and ham, in all a pound of meat for each participant, plus vegetables. To follow were 414 ‘plumb puddings’, the largest of which weighed 58 lbs. The meat was carved by 204 gentlemen and respectable tradesmen, with 408 of their sons and daughters acting as waiters. All the town breweries provided hogsheads of beer. There were processions, bands, trumpets to announce Grace, cannon and sports. Naturally in Lewes, the evening concluded with fireworks." (Lewes History Group, Bulletin 96, July 2018.)

The conical-shaped Mount can be seen nearby (middle left), and Lewes Castle is in the distance (middle right). Surrounded by earth banks and flint walls, the Dripping Pan later became the site of Lewes Town Football Club.
Collection
Accession number
E.2205-1931

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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