 On landing in England in 1066, William the Conqueror
immediately seized the Roman fort at Pevensey.Ditches were dug to provide extra protection against attack. However, when
no attack came he hastily moved his army to Hastings where he heard King Harold and his
army were camped nearby and erected his first castle. It is probable that William
brought the ready-cut wood and nuts and bolts with him.
Having beaten the English at the Battle of
Hastings, William needed to consolidate his position and set about building castles which
would dominate the areas surrounding them. William gave Pevensey to his
half-brother, Robert of Mortain, who built a stronghold inside the old Roman fort.
Later, in around 1100, work started on
building a large keep.
In the 13th century a strong enclosure was
built around the tower. The castle changed hands frequently and was besieged several
times. The most notable occasion was in 1264-1265 when the castle was attacked by
Simon de Montfort the Younger. After the Battle of Lewes when Henry III was defeated
by his barons, the King's supporters fled east to Pevensey and took refuge in the castle.
However, Simon de Montfort was unable to take the stronghold. |
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Pevensey
Castle
