Menu
 
Portfolio
 
Terms of Use
 

Hastings Castle

Immediately after landing in England in 1066, William of Normandy ordered three fortifications to be built, Pevensey Castle in September 1066 (re-using the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Anderitum), Hastings (prior to the Battle of Hastings), and Dover. Hastings Castle was originally built as a motte-and-bailey castle near the sea. Later that year, the famous Battle of Hastings took place some miles to the north of Hastings Castle, in which William was victorious. In 1070, William issued orders for the castle to be rebuilt in stone, along with the St Mary’s Chapel.

 

The Count of Eu held the castle for most of the Norman period, beginning with Robert, but King John ordered that the castle be destroyed to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Dauphin Louis. In 1220, Henry III re-fortified the castle.

 

In time, however, the house of Eu forfeited control of Hastings Castle, when the family heir William made the decision to keep his French assets over the English ones and was denied the right to his inheritance. In 1242, Henry III bestowed the rule of the castle and its lands to his wife’s uncle, Peter of Savoy, who then governed the estate until passing away.

 

In 1287, violent storms battered the south coast for many months and the soft sandstone cliffs eventually succumbed to the elements. Large sections of the face fell into the sea along with parts of the castle.

 

In both 1339 and 1377, the town was attacked by the French leaving many burnt buildings which included homes. Throughout the next century, erosion was unchecked and gradually more of the castle was lost to the sea.

 

More posts..

Sutton Valence

Sutton Valence Castle is a ruined medieval fortification in the village of Sutton Valence in Kent, England. Overlooking a strategic route to the coast, the original castle probably comprised an inner and an outer bailey and a protective barbican, with a three-story high keep on

Read More
Bothwell Castle

Bothwell Castle is a large medieval castle, sited on a high, steep bank, above a bend in the River Clyde in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located between Bothwell and Uddingston, about 10 miles south-east of Glasgow. Construction of the castle was begun in the

Read More
The Newark Torc

  The Newark Torc is a complete Iron Age gold alloy torc found on the outskirts of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. The torc was probably made in Norfolk and it closely resembles the Great Torc from Snettisham and is also closely similar to one found at Sedgeford,

Read More
Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle is a country house in Llandygai, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales, in the form of a Norman castle. It was originally a medieval fortified manor house, founded by Ednyfed Fychan. 

Read More
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
error: