Famous giant returns to Arundel Castle: New children’s book revives Sussex’s lost legend
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A new children’s book now on sale at Arundel Castle is reconnecting young readers with one of Sussex’s oldest legends. Inspired by the medieval tale of Bevis of Hampton, the story brings local folklore and learning to life through adventure, humour and real historical settings.
With traditional stories fading from view and fewer children engaging with local history, a new book launching at Arundel Castle is helping to preserve one of Sussex’s oldest legends by introducing it to a new generation of readers.
Bevis the Giant: Hero of Arundel, written by former teacher and local author Matt Twinley, is the first children’s book based on the medieval romance Bevis of Hampton, a once-famous tale of chivalry and folklore dating back to the Middle Ages. Bevis was said to be a giant who lived in Arundel Castle’s Bevis Tower, an architectural feature seen by thousands of visitors each year, though few know the story behind it.