Back in 2020, I was asked by the South Coast Rail Partnership (SCRP) if I could create a poster exhibition about Thomas Paine in the four waiting rooms in Lewes Railway Station. I was keen to tell the story of two men, Thomas Paine and General Gage, Britain’s Commander-in-Chief in North America at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Both had strong links to Lewes, Paine residing here from 1768 to 1774 and the family seat of the Gage family at Firle just five miles east of Lewes. Covid struck and froze the work but I recently suggested that we could mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by resurrecting the project.

The posters were hung in late December 2025, this time badged as a TPHA project with my having recently joined its Board. As I hung the posters, public engagement was immediate! People kept asking questions while I hung them! It was very heartening as I had no idea that it would work at all. The challenge was to give enough information without too much detail. Judging from the initial responses I think we got the right balance.

Here are the posters:

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The country may have celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in spectacular style this year, but is everything really happy and glorious with the monarchy in 21st Century Britain — or is it time for Britain to become a republic? 

A committee member of the Thomas Paine Society UK was asked to join in this live debate in front of a 160 strong at the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre in November 2012. Paul Myles agreed to join in the Question Time style event. There were four panellists, all of whom gave a 5 minute opening and closing statement. The audience joined in either by asking questions or taking part in the snap opinion polls via the electronic voting system. 

The opening theme was : What can we learn from monarchies that have become republics in the past? Does the issue even matter in the modern world? 

The panel of 4 experts included: 

Graham Smith, who heads the campaigning organization Republic , and has been outspoken on issues including Prince Charles’s lobbying of Government departments, and which is calling for an honours system decided by the people; 

Rafe Heydel-Mankoo , historian and royal commentator. One of North America’s leading royal commentators, he is an expert in monarchy, protocol, honours and British traditions, Rafe is the former editor of Burke’s World Orders of Knighthood & Merit. He is a trustee of the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust and a Research Associate at the leading public policy think tank ResPublica; 

Richard Whatmore, Professor of Intellectual History and the History of Political Thought at the University of Sussex, whose interests include the history of democracy, the French Revolution and the Enlightenment. 

Paul Myles of the Thomas Paine Society UK, which promotes the revolutionary thinker’s contribution to democracy and freedom; 

Graham Smith opened with a clear republican argument, that the monarchy is an outdated and quirky establishment, which does not add to the nation, not even in tourism terms. 

Rafe Heydel-Mankoo was clearly pro monarchy, and took the familiar pro monarchical argumentative line, stability, 1000 years of history, glorious in the reigns. His later arguments were nuanced, acknowledging the need for some change. 

Richard Whatmore brought gravitas and accuracy to the debate, and argued that the European Union is much more important over the long term than anything the UK may struggle with locally. 

Paul Myles took the position for disestablishment of the Church of England. Paul suggested that this was an achievable aim, and would re-balance our society into a modem state over time. He pointed out that on the world map of secularity the UK was showing as yellow meaning “ambiguous” on this matter. Rafe agreed with Paul that England and Iran were the only two nation states with unelected clergy in their legislative chambers. 

The first vote was 75% in favour of England becoming a republic, this showed the republican leanings of the mostly local audience. In conversation with Graham Smith and Rafe Heydel-Mankoo this was markedly different to many previous debates in the UK where these two regularly lock horns. 

The debate was very lively with a lot of audience participation, the panellist’s cut and thrust was matched by audience intervention and the passion really showed at times, both sides of the debate. Chillingly there was a moment where a young student member of the audience claimed the absolutist monarch from his home country in Africa was good and benevolent for all and he did not understand why we were debating authority. After a comment by Rafe that the polls had never shown such a high rating for the Royal Family in comparison to the leading politicians Myles riposted that that was like comparing the BBC “Eastenders” with “Question time”, that one was emotional and frivolous and the other a serious attempt to deal with the issues of the day. 

One of Rafe’s arguments was the continuity of glorious monarchs in England over a thousand years, this point was efficiently dismissed by Myles and Whatmore pointing out the enforced interruption by Cromwell and by bringing up Thomas Paine’s comment about William the Conqueror being ” a bastard son of a whore”, as the start of that thousand year history. . Whatmore also pointed out the Royal System had placed a crown on more than one ” idiot”. 

The evening went with a real swing, and notwithstanding the heat ended amicably, with the final vote showing no change in the audience position. The feedback from this event, one of a series of topics, was very favourable, perhaps showing that there is an appetite for a debate of this kind. 

The Sussex Salon is a roundtable event where academics, practitioners and commentators share their views on hot topics. The Sussex Salon Series is organised by Dr Ruth Woodfield, a University of Sussex sociologist and Director of Widening Participation for the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.

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This important document has recently been purchased by the Sussex Record Office Articles of Agreement Tripartite Indented had made and agreed upon the Fourth day of June in the Year of our Lord One thousand and Seven Hundred and Seventy four Between Thomas Pain of Lewes in the County of Sussex Fate- inserted above] Excise Officer of the first part Elizabeth Pain Wife of the said Thomas Pain ( late Elizabeth Olive Spinster) of the Second part and the Reverend James Castley of Lewes aforesaid Clerk of the Third part. 

Whereas certain unhappy Quarrels and dissensions have arisen (and which do now in part subsist) between the said Thomas Pain and Elizabeth his Wife for putting an End to which They the said Thomas Pain and Elizabeth his Wife bath mutually agreed to live separate and apart and Previous to such Separation he the said Thomas Pain hath consented thereto and also proposed and agreed that the said Elizabeth shall have and take a few fixtures now remaining in their late dwelling House at Lewes and valued by Mr Verret/ at about Twenty five Shillings 

And whereas Samuel Olive late of Lewes aforesaid Grocer deceased Father of the said Elizabeth in and by his last Will and Testament Did give and Devise All that his Messuage or Tenement and Appurtenances wherein he lived Situate in the parish of Saint Michaels in the Town of Lewes aforesaid unto his Wife Hester Olive for and during the Term of her Natural Life and after her Decease he gave and Devised the same unto John Ridge of Kingston in the said County Gentleman and John Attersoll of Lewes aforesaid Carpenter and the Survivor of them and the Heirs and Assigns of the Survivor In Trust to sell the same and out of the Monies arising thereby In Trust to divide the same between his Four Children John Samuel Thomas and Elizabeth ( now the Wife of the said Thomas Pain as aforesaid) in equal shares and in case any or either of them should happen to Die before the Monies Should become Payable then to pay the same in such manner as therein is mentioned As in and by the the said Will and Probate thereof relation being thereunto had more fully will appear 

Now the said Thomas Pain bath also consented and agreed that the said Elizabeth shall have and take her share of the said Monies of the said House when the same shall become due and Payable and will also give any Discharge that shall be then required to and for the Use of the said Elizabeth And the said Elizabeth hath agreed to give up to the said Thomas Pain the sum of I Forty Five Pounds- inserted ] now in hor Possession on or before the [ Sixth- inserted day of [ June – inserted ] 

And the said James Castley for and on behalf of the said Elizabeth Pain bath agreed to indemnify the said Thomas Pain of and from Payment of all Maintenance Monies to be by her the said Elizabeth Pain demanded or Recovered against him the said Thomas Pain as also of and from all contracts Debts and Engagements whatsoever to be by her the said Elizabeth Pain in any wise contracted and which he the said Thomas Pain shall actually Pay together with Charges touching the same in such manner as hereinafter is mentioned 

Now those Presents Witness that the said Thomas Pain in Pursuance of his aforesaid Proposal and Agreement doth hereby for himself his Executors and Administrators and every of them Covenant Promise and agree to and with the said James Castley his Executors and Administrators and cloth also agree with the said Elizabeth his Wife in manner and form following, that is to say, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Elizabeth his Wife and that he the said Thomas Pain shall and will Permit and Suffer her the said Elizabeth from time to time and at all times from henceforth during her Natural Life to live Separate and apart from him and to reside and be in such Place and Places and in such Family and Families and with such relations Friends and other Persons and to follow and carry on such Trade and Business as she the said Elizabeth from time to time at her Will and Pleasure (Notwithstanding her [present- inserted above] Coverture and as if she were a Feme Sole and unmarried) shall think fit and that he the said Thomas Pain shall not nor Will at any time or times hereafter sue her the said Elizabeth in the Ecclesiastical Court or any other Court for her living Separate and apart from him or Compel her to Cohabit with him or to sue Molest disturb or trouble her for such living Separate and apart from him or any other Person or Persons whatsoever for receiving harbouring or entertaining her nor shall or will without the Consent of the said Elizabeth Visit her or knowingly come into any House or Place where she shall or may dwell reside or be nor shall or will at any time hereafter claim or demand the said few fixtures or the said Monies which she shall be entitled to at the time of the Sale of the said House in Lewes aforesaid or any of the Monies Rings Plate Clothes Linen Woolen Household Goods or stock in Trade which the said Elizabeth shall or may at any time hereafter buy or Purchase or which shall be devised or given to her or shall otherwise acquire and that she shall and may enjoy and Absolutely dispose of the same as if she were a Feme sole and Unmarried 

And also that he the said Thomas Pain shall not nor will at any time hereafter Slander or defame his said Wife or detract from her Good Character or do any Injury whatsoever to her or her reputation And also that it shall and may be lawful for the said Elizabeth to have receive and take to her own Separate Use and Benefit her said Share of the Monies for which the said Messuage or Tenement in Lewes shall be Sold when the same shall become due and Payable 

And the said James Castley for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators and for every of them doth covenant Promise and agree to and with the said Thomas Pain his Executors and Administrators by these Presents That he the said James Castley his Heirs Executors and Administrators shall and will from time to time at all times hereafter well and Sufficiently save defend keep harmless and Indemnified as well the said Thomas Pain his Heirs Executors and Administrators as also his and their Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels of from and against Payment of all manner of Debts whatsoever and of what nature or kindsoever which she the said Elizabeth Pain from henceforth from time to time and at all times hereafter during the said Separation shall Contract or make with any Person or Persons whomsoever and also of and from Payment of all Alimony Maintenance and Support whatsoever which [ she- inserted above] the said Elizabeth Pain at any time hereafter may have claim challenge or Demand from the said Thomas Pain or his Estates Real or Personal during the Continuance of such Separation and likewise of and from all Costs Charges Expenses and Damages whatsoever which he the said Thomas Pain his Heirs Executors and Administrators shall or may at any time hereafter pay Sustain or be put unto by the said Elizabeth Pain Contracting any such Debt or Debts or Demand of any such Alimony Maintenance or Support as aforesaid or for or by reason or in respect of any other Cause matter or thing whatsoever which may be born paid or Sustained by him the said Thomas Pain touching or concerning her the said Elizabeth so living separate and apart from him the said Thomas Pain during the time aforesaid. In Witness whereof the Parties first above named have to these Presents Set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written 

Signed Sealed and Delivered ( being first duly stamped) by the said Thomas Pain and James Castley in the Presence of John Ollive 

William Wright 

Signed Seated and Delivered ( being first duly stamped) by the said Elizabeth Pain in the presence of John 0llive.

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