Sovereign Harbour is a New Development located 3.5 miles outside Eastbourne with a population now reaching 10,000 people.

It is located next to Pevensey along the coastal road what is localy known as Pevensey Bay.

A short history of Pevensey Bay

About 340AD the Romans built the massive fortress of Anderida on what was than an uninhabited peninsula of land (along which the A27 road now runs) rising above the coastal marches. It closed the remaining gap along the south-east coast in their defensive network of forts against Saxon invaders.

The sea washed over what is now Pevensey Marches surrounding Anderida on three sides, so giving a safe and sheltered landing point.

This marshy inlet of the sea, extending inland as far a Hailsham, was studded with small areas of high land which remained as islands at high tide so giving the place-names of Rickney, Horse Eye, North Eye and Pevensey. All derived from the Old English word 'eye' meaning island.

On the 28th September 1066. William, Duke of Normandy, landed at Pevensey with his invading force of boats, men and horses. He established his first strong point here, improving fortifications by digging ditches within the walls of the Roman Fort, before arching on to Hastings, then to Battle, where he defeated Harold's army on Senlac Hill.

In the three centuries following the Norman Conquest, Pevensey Castle had an eventful history, being besieged four times (twice successfully), and although by Tudor times it had become uninhabited, the threat of the Spanish Armada renewed military interest in the site.

The advent of World War II had a similar effect when the castle was refortified with 20th century defensive works and severed as an observation and command post.

About 1230 Pevensey became a corporate member of the Cinque Ports Confederation (attached to the port of Hastings) which Edward I had been charged with the duty of guarding the straits between England and the Continent.

The quay on the southern and eastern sides of the town allowed merchant ships to tie up and unload cargo and Pevensey became an important small port.

However, the gradual reclamation of the sea left the town about 0.75-mile inland, and with the silting up of the river, trade declined to almost nothing in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Smuggling provided a profitable sideline for the local people with contraband brandy from France or wool from sheep on the marshes shipped to the Continent.

The last documented clash between smugglers and coastguards took place in 1833 when a boat laden with contraband was landed at Pevensey Bay.

Although discovered, the smugglers were able to keep the coastguards at bay by constant fires while they unloaded the cargo.

A running fight ensured as the smugglers retreated across the marsh, five smugglers were captured and three were reported dead.