Pevensey Castle

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.