In the footsteps of King Harold
Pevensey Castle
East Sussex
Off the A259. Map reference: TQ 645048
Now owned and administered by English Heritage, this site combines a Norman castle within the Roman fort of Anderida. The fort was built in about AD 290 as part of the defences of the Saxon Shore, which were intended to ward off raids by Vikings and others. It failed in this. For instance, in AD 491, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that Pevensey was besieged by Saxon raiders who 'killed all who lived in there; there was not even one Briton left there'.
It was also unsuccessful in preventing the invasion of the Normans in 1066, although there is a question mark over whether this actually was where William and his army landed. The traditional version has it that, on landing at Pevensey and finding the fort vacant, William of Normandy was able to consolidate his position immediately. However, amateur archaeologist (and cable TV boss) Nick Austin may have found the true location of the landing at Wilting Manor, near Hastings. In any event, it is known that William later gave the Roman fort to his brother Count Robert de Mortrain, who used it as the outer bailey for a new castle.
Today, more than half of the fort's stone walls are still standing. Some have been excavated down to their original ground level and now stand up to 20 feet (6 metres) high. There are also two rounded Roman bastions. The sea, which in William's time would have lapped the walls, has retreated to a mile away.
You can explore the fort free of charge. There is a reasonable admission fee to see the ruined Norman castle.
Pevensey Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk
The entry for the castle on the English Heritage website.
Pevensey
www.villagenet.co.uk/pevenseylevels/villages/
pevensey.php
Good short history with lots of links.
Secrets of the Norman Invasion
www.secretsofthenormaninvasion.com/index.htm
Extensive website of amateur archaeologist Nick Austin, proposing
an alternate site for William's landing.
