It’s nearly 950 years exactly since the Normans landed in Pevensey and now a new Village Sign has been erected which celebrates a connection going right back to the Battle of Hastings, writes Robert Slater
Unlike many other villages, Pevensey has never had a sign before.
It has not taken as long as the Norman Invasion but still been about eight years in the planning and was first put forward by Cllr Norman. Beaney who was later joined by Cllr Terry Hills (in fact Terry’s wife Betony designed the sign).
There have been debates, designs, planning and English Heritage to consider.
Finally the hole was dug last week (even this had to have archaeological supervision just in case anything was discovered) and the sign erected this morning (Monday 11 July) and makes a new prominent feature outside the East Gate of Pevensey Castle.
The design depicts the ‘Pevensey Eagle’ and the L’Aquila family.
Euguenulf de L’Aigle was one of the Knights who came over with William I and was killed at the Battle of Hastings and a later ancestor Gilbert de L’Aigle was bestowed the Rape of Pevensey.
The area was known between 1106 and 1234 as the ‘Honour of the Eagle’.
It seems fitting on the year of the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings that the Aquila family Crest is once more on display prominently in Pevensey.
IMAGE CREDIT: Robert Slater
