Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

Pevensey was an old Roman fort on the western side of the opening of a lagoon facing the English Channel. William the Bastard made his landfall there on 28 September 1066, tripping as he did so and risking an adverse omen. A motte was built within the walls of the old fort and William then moved eastwards to a better position at Hastings. The castle is in the care of English Heritage (tel: 01323 762604 for opening times). It consists of the Roman fort, a Normancastle and, built into the ancient walls, World War II gun emplacements.

See also: Castle; Hastings; motte; Norman; omen; William the Bastard

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )