Pevensey, then a coastal town in East Sussex, is where William, Duke of Normandy landed with his army in 1066. Before the Norman Conquest it was the site of a Roman Fort that formed part of the Saxon Shore Command. The medieval castle was built within its walls and saw three significant sieges during its turbulent history. When the sea began to recede in the early 1500s it became less strategically important and fell into decline. It was later re-occupied to guard agains threats of invasion from the Spanish Armada in 1588 and German Forces during World War 2, when it was garrisoned by British, Canadian and US units. Today the ruins are managed by English Heritage.