The “area”:http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/siteassets/home/visit/places-to-visit/pevensey-castle/history/pevensey-castle-plan.pdf inside the Roman Fort formed the outer bailey of the castle, which occupied a small area in the south east corner. Although the outer bailey is now an area of rough grass, there were substantial buildings within the walls, including bar, pigeon house and stables.
The keep and the postern gate were the first stone structures, built in the C12th and early C13th. The walls of the inner bailey were built in the mid C13th.
These were protected by towers and a moat, contained by a dam at the southern end. Beyond is a dry ditch. Narrow arrow slits gave good coverage of the curtain wall. The towers have sloping bases which made therm more resistant to undermining and damage during a siege.
The gatehouse was reached by stone causeway and drawbridge pit. It originally had two flanking towers, although little is left of the south tower. A murder hole can be seen over the gatehouse passage and defenders could fire arrows or drop heavy stones on attackers.
A spiral staircase leads down from the remains of the south tower into a secure basement which could have been used for storage or as a dungeon. In the floor of the north tower is a metal grille, the only access to the oubliette (dungeon) below. The remains of a spiral staircase gave access to the upper floors of the gatehouse.
As there are so many pictures, I have continued this as another review…