Church Micro 253… Lewes (Southover) Traditional Cache
Long Man: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache, I'm archiving it.
Andy
Long Man
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Church Micro 253… Lewes (Southover)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This is one of a series of nine Church Micros in Lewes, leading to a Bonus. In order to complete the Bonus cache you will need to collect a clue at each of the locations. These are not in the cache itself but in the grounds of these fine places of worship.
St John the Baptist, Southover - Southover High Street
This church is all that remains of the great Cluniac Priory that was built in 1078 by William de Warren, Earl of Surrey, and the lady Gundreda his wife. It originated as a 'hospitium' or guest house to serve the Priory.
By 1121 AD there is on record a 'Chapel of St John the Baptist within the Priory Cemetery'. In about 1260 AD there is the first evidence of the move of the Chapel from inside the Priory to its present position outside the gate, and within fourteen more years the 'parish' is referred to as such for the first time. By 1320 AD the Chapel had become a Church, and by 1374 it is precisely described as 'the Parish Church of St John, near the gate of Lewes Priory' - the gate remains can still be seen on the left as you enter the church grounds.
The tower was built in stages between 1714 and 1738, after the collapse of the earlier tower with spire in 1698. Note the unusual weather vane - in 1813 the Rector and Churchwardens were considering an appropriate design for a weather vane. A notable event in Brighton where a basking shark was caught and exhibited is thought to have encouraged them to choose this design.
The actual cache can be found on the parimeter of the church, although GPSr signal around the area is not good.
The clue for this Church Micro can be found on the last gravestone in the grounds (at the opposite corner to the actual cache) - what day in March did Mary King die in 1908? This will give you S.
If any body would like to expand to this series please do, we would just ask that you could let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
Please bring your own writing implement !
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jrfg cnevzrgre jnyy sebz gur Uvtu Fgerrg- haqre fgbar