Review: Pevensey Castle 27 June 2010
Source: Qype Ninja:dmj1962
Pevensey Castle has impressive remains from both Roman and medieval periods. Encompassing over 1,700 years of history – including some of the most pivotal moments in the country’s past – and with attractive grounds, it makes a great afternoon out.
History
Pevensey began life as the Roman fort of Anderida, built around 295 AD as part of a string of forts along the south and east coasts of England known as the ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. These were designed both as bases to defend against Saxon raids, but also functioned as administrative and customs posts. After the end of formal Roman rule in 410AD, the fort was the home of a sophisticated trading community, until overwhelmed by the Saxons in 491 AD. (The Anglo Saxon Chronicle records that all the inhabitants were slain.)
External links: useful sources of information: Pevensey Castle
English Heritage: A great family day out, encompassing rich history and fun things to do…
visit 1066 Country: Discover 2,000 years of history from the Romans to World War II and beyond…
Sussex Castles: A fort was built at Pevensey between 280 and 300 by Carausius, a roman admiral…
There is no further mention of the fort in written records until 1066 when, as the landing site of the Norman forces of William the Conqueror, it played a pivotal role in English history. William camped here for a few nights until he moved his forces to Hastings. Given after the Conquest to his half brother Robert, Count of Mortain, the Roman walls were used as an outer bailey, and a wooden fort erected in the north east corner. This was rebuilt in stone some time after 1100. A fine gateway for the inner bailey was erected around 1190-1220, supplemented by impressive curtain walls by Peter of Savoy in 1250, strengthened by large semi-circular towers.
Unusually, the castle was attacked and besieged no fewer than four times: the first in 1088 during the rebellion by de Mortain against the forces of King William II (Rufus); then in 1147, during the rebellion by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke; again (and most significantly) in 1264-5, when followers of Henry III held out against the forces of Simon de Montfort after the battle of Lewes in May 1264, until the battle of Evesham in August 1265, when de Montfort was killed and Henry III returned to the throne; and finally in 1399, when Joan Pelham, the wife of the castle constable John Pelham – supporters of Henry Bolingbroke – held out against the forces of Richard II until Bolingbroke was crowned Henry IV.
As its port silted up at the end of the mediaeval period, Pevensey waned in significance, although periodically, its strategic location led to refortification: earthwork gun emplacements were constricted in 1587 in defence against the Spanish Armada; Martello towers were built further along the coast against Napoleonic invasion in 1805, and two gun emplacements were built into the Keep in 1940, fearful of a German invasion. These emplacements were disguised to look like part of the medieval Keep, and indeed the modern barracks were also disguised to look like mediaeval buildings.
It is now in the less eventful care of English Heritage.
The castle
Whether entered from the east or west, it is the Roman walls you see first, and they are suitably impressive, rising up to 20ft (7m) with their distinctive banded masonry, and ten bastions. They survive almost complete except for the south side. The area within them – the outer bailey of the mediaeval castle – is open to the public at all times, with a public footpath through it. It makes an ideal spot for picnics,
Next comes the curtain wall and gatehouse of the impressive 13th century fortifications, built of high quality ashlar. These are well preserved, and the moat has been refilled with water, giving a good impression of what the castle would have looked like. The east and north towers are particularly well preserved, and rooms within them have exhibitions on the history of the castle and castle life. Beneath the main west gatehouse is a cellar labelled ‘dungeon’, and even on a fine warm day, it was dark, wet and cold!
Once inside the main gate, past the small wooden ticket office the inner ward is dominated by the massive base of the 12th century keep, which was of highly unusual design: the ground floor was solid clay and masonry, with the rooms on the first floor, and the keep had a series of huge semi-circular buttresses, effectively forming projecting towers. Little is left above first floor level, save the two incongruous 1940 gun emplacements, with their long horizontal slits.
In the grounds are the footings of the castle’s chapel, its design easily traced by what survives, and the well. A pile of heavy stone balls (more in a south tower cellar) remind you of the mediaeval catapult-like ballista, and a restored Elizabethan cannon on display is one of a pair which were recorded on an inventory of 1587.
Practicalities
The castle is in the care of English Heritage. The outer bailey is open all year around as it is crossed by a public footpath.
The inner bailey (entry charge) is open every day 10:00-18:00 April-September and 10:00-16:00 during October. From November until the end of March it is open 10:00-16:00 on Saturdays and Sundays only. An audio tour is available, as well guide-books and souvenirs from the ticket office / shop. There’s a small tea room by the east entrance, and several pubs in Pevensey village.
The inner and outer baileys are accessible to wheelchair users via mainly impacted gravel paths and some rough grass; assistance may be necessary. There are many steps to the towers. Some disabled visitors may be able to use steps to towers and dungeons with assistance; there are handrails in north and south towers. Benches are provided in the inner bailey. As well as the audio guide for visually impaired visitors, there is a hearing loop guide for hearing impaired visitors.
There is a car park (charge payable) by the east entrance (on the Pevensey side). There are frequent trains to Pevensey & Westham station, on the Eastbourne to Hastings line, about 500m from the west gate, via Westham High Street and Castle Lane. (Although Pevensey Bay station is nearer to the castle, the train service is very sparse).
