OUR forefathers had a rough time of it in the Middle Ages.

They were regularly under attack from foreign invaders – usually the French – given the county’s proximity to the English Channel.

Thousands died, towns were sacked, treasures plundered and women and children slaughtered.

But the one good thing to come from all the bloodshed was an array of fantastic castles.

The Argus:

In Sussex we have everything from the Roman foundations of Pevensey to the fairytale-like Herstmonceux, most of which was built in the 20th century.

So if you are in to your baileys, drawbridges, moats and mottes – then Sussex is the place to be.

Historian Richard Bird explained the origin of most of the county’s castles.

He said: “Most are Norman in origin as when William the Conqueror came over in 1066, he ordered the building of numerous castles along the Sussex coast to act as a defensive line.

“If it all went wrong the plan was to fall back to the these strongholds and call in reinforcements from France.”

Sussex has witnessed some of this country’s defining events and our castles have been at the heart of the action.

The Battle of Lewes of 1264 saw King Henry III face off against Simon de Montfort in a battle for this country’s democracy.

Henry and his men led their attack from the castle before retreating to the Norman stronghold after his men were routed.

As a result of the loss, he was forced to sign the Mise of Lewes which marked England’s first steps towards democracy.

And then, of course, there is the Battle of Hastings – the result of which altered the course of our nation’s history.

Soon after William the Conqueror landed on the Sussex coast in 1066, he ordered two castles to be built from which he would launch his attack on King Harold’s men – one at Pevensey and the other in Hastings itself.

Although wooden at first, once England was secure, William ordered they be rebuilt out of stone and they remain largely intact to this day.

Mr Bird said: “I think my favourite is probably Pevensey. Its history dates back to the Romans when it was built to keep out the Saxons.

“The whole of the outer wall in fact is Roman and it is still there today.

“It is incredible to think that a 2,000-year-old building is still standing, right on our doorstep.”