Duke William Builds a Pre-Built
Castle at Pevensey
Duke William made
careful plans for the Norman invasion. The Normans were great
builders of castles and fully appreciated the great advantages
that a castle gave to a fighting force.
-
Wooden Castles
could be erected quickly
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Parts to make the
wooden castles were pre-built - the timbers were cut to the
correct sizes and bolts were used to fit them together
-
The Romans used a
similar system when they built their wooden forts
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A suitable place to
build on high ground would be located
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Carpenters and some
of the military would ensure quick construction
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The castle would be
used to intimidate the local population
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A number of
fighting men would man the castle, ready to take on any
attackers
-
It would also be
used to safely store supplies and equipment together with
the horses
The English first
built some 'motte' and 'bailey' castles during the reign of
Edward the Confessor but there were very few of them - they
were situated at Herefordshire, the Welsh border, obviously
for protection against the Welsh. The use of castles did not
feature in King Harold's battle plans but they were key to the
strategy adopted by Duke William.
The Norman
chroniclers described the erection of the castle at Pevensey as
follows:
"They took counsel
together, and looked for a good spot to build a castle on.
They had brought with them in the fleet, three pre-built
wooden castles from Normandy, all in pieces, ready for fitting
together, and they took the materials of one of these out of
the ships, all shaped and pierced to receive the pins which
they had brought cut and ready in large barrels; and before
evening had set in they had finished a good Castle on English
ground, and placed their stores there. All then ate and drank,
and were glad to be ashore".
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