A major addition to the castle was a stone curtain-wall which replaced the former wooden palisade. This was built in the middle of the 13th century, and the work is usually attributed to Peter of Savoy, who was granted the castle by Henry III in 1246.

 

The curtain wall with its three rounded towers stands to almost its full height, and the basement rooms in the towers, from which access to the outside of the curtain-wall could be obtained, still remain. Little is known of the interior arrangements of the castle. There is documentary evidence that the chief buildings were of wood and a number of the apartments were provided with fire-places, the sites of which are clearly visible.

The Pevensey Cannon - mounted on a modern carriage in the inner bailey is one of the two demi-culverins listed in the armanent of Pevensey Castle in 1587. Cast in Sussex during Elizabeth I's reign and marked with a Tudor Rose and the initials E.R., for Elizabeth Regina. The guns were probably sited on the south side of the outer bailey.

 

A rectangular building, of which the slight foundations remain, was perhaps the chapel, but the foundations are too slight to have supported any but a wooden building. The remains of an old font can also be seen within the foundations.

 

In the Inner Bailey are the remains of the chapel foundations

 

In its chequered history the castle changed owners many times. From Gilbert de Aquila, who held it under Henry I, it received the picturesque title of 'Honour of the Eagle'. It was besieged four times, having been held by Robert of Mortain against William Rufus in support of Odo's attempt to put Robert of Normandy on the throne in 1088; for Matilda against Stephen in 1147; for Henry III against the Barons in 1265; and for Henry IV, then Bolingbroke, against Richard II in 1399.

 

On this occasion the castle was successfully defended by Lady Joan Pelham while her husband, John de Pelham, was constable of Pevensey, important state prisoners were kept there. Among them, for a short time in 1414, was Prince James of Scotland during his long captivity to Henry IV and Henry V. A later prisoner was Joan of Navarre, Henry IV's widow, who was suspected of employing witchcraft against her stepson, Henry V.

 

The well in the inner Bailey is covered by a strong metal grid and is partly excavated. Water can be seen in the well which is at present about 30 feet deep.

 

In the next two centuries the castle fell into decay. Finally when the coast of Sussex was on the point of being put into a state of defence against the Armada, Pevensey was found ruinous and orders were given, but fortunately not executed, that it should be 're-edified or utterly rased'.

 

The Postern Gate - this would have provided direct access to the waters edge.

 

 

 

 

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