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TimeRef.com
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    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Pevensey Castle
Castle
Castle
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Pevensey Castle

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 County

East Sussex (7 castles) 

 Categories

Pre Medieval / Stone

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location50.81941,0.332539 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

East Sussex (7 castles) 

 Categories

Pre Medieval / Stone

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
50.81941,0.332539
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
evensey Castle is located on the south coast of England and had once been a Roman fort. It is where William the Conqueror landed in September 1066 when he invaded the country. Before marching to Hastings William repaired the castle so that it could be defended and used it as a base to regroup his invasion force. After the Conquest William granted the castle to his half-brother Robert, Count of Mortain. The shape of the castle is unlike other Roman forts which are mostly rectangular. Pevensey castle is oval in shape and the walls follow the contours of the high ground it sits upon. Robert built his castle in the south-east corner of the Roman fort and set about repairing the Roman walls which were 20 to 30 feet high and 10 feet in thickness. The castle was repaired and improved to such an extent that it proved to be hard to capture. It stood up to a siege in 1088 by William Rufus when Robert of Mortain and Odo rebelled against the English King and tried to put Rufus' brother Robert, Duke of Normandy on the throne. The castle only fell when the food ran out.

William, Count of Mortain, Robert of Mortain's son, took possession of the castle but when he rebelled against King Henry I he was stripped of the castle.

In 1147 King Stephen laid siege to the castle when its owner rebelled. As before the castle walls could not be breached and it only fell to the King when the supplies ran out. Pevensey then became the property of the Crown.

Location

See Also

People

  • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
  • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
  • Robert (Count of Mortain)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Portchester Castle
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

Civil War Stephen and Matilda (click here)

Civil War Stephen and Matilda (click here)

The Second Barons' War (click here)

The Second Barons' War (click here)

Location Map (click to explore)

Timeline

1088

April (to June)

Pevensey Castle siege

William Rufus lay siege to Pevensey Castle where Odo had taken shelter with Robert of Mortain. The siege lasted for six weeks. Robert, the Duke of Normandy, sent a force to support the rebels at Pevensey but they were unable to land because the King had made sure the ports were well guarded. Robert admitted defeat and withdrew his support for the rebels. Odo had little choice, other than that to starve, and surrendered to the King. Odo agreed to go to Rochester where he would convince the rebels to accept William Rufus as the rightful King of England.

1147

...

Pevensey Castle siege

King Stephen leys siege to Pevensey castle and has to wait for the castle's reserves to run out before the castle falls.

1246

...

Peter de Savoy granted Pevensey Castle

King Henry III granted Pevensey castle to the Queen's uncle, Peter de Savoy, Earl of Richmond.

1264

...

Pevensey Castle siege

Following the defeat at the Battle of Lewes, Henry III's supporters fled and took refuge in Pevensey Castle. Simon de Montfort's son, laid siege to the castle, but could not take it.

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Location

See Also

People

  • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
  • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
  • Robert (Count of Mortain)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Portchester Castle
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

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