Lewes Castle

Following the Norman invasion of England in 1066, William de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey, received lands in Sussex from William the Conqueror. Shortly thereafter, he began construction of the castle. Initially, the complex consisted of two artificial mounds connected by an oval bailey. The fortifications on the mounds and the palisades around the courtyard were initially made of wood and served as William de Warenne's residence. Probably in the early 12th century, the wooden structure was replaced by a round stone wall. Approximately 150 years later, two semi-octagonal towers were added to this wall. In the 14th century, John de Warenne, the eighth Earl of Surrey, had a castle gate built.