 History & Heritage
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The castle was introduced into Wales by the Normans. The first castles were of a simple motte and bailey
type but Welsh rebellions forced the Normans to harden their defenses. By the end of the
11th century the Normans had conquered most of the lowlands of Wales but were still having difficulty
in the uplands and in particular in Gwynedd, the heart of Welsh resistance.
Struggles continued until a relative peace was gained through Llywelyn ap Gruffydd signing the Treaty
of Montgomery in 1267 and paying homage to Henry III, but when the ambitious king Edward I came to the English
throne, the peace was shattered.  Edward I's 'iron-ring' of castles in north Wales represent the peak of medieval
military architecture and illustrate his dominance in the region.
In the later middle ages the castles existed as centres of administration rather than as defenses.
Advances in artillery warfare demonstrated the inevitable demise of the castle as the ultimate defense
weapon. Under the Lancastrians many castles fell into decay and from that day on the aristocracy
increasingly viewed their residences in terms of comfort - the stately home was born.
Beaumaris Castle
This was the largest and the last of King Edward I fortresses in north Wales, only begun in 1295
in the aftermath of a revolt by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. It's location was chosen strategically to control
and important ferry crossing from the mainland to Anglesey as well as northern approaches to the Menai Strait.
Beaumaris was the greatest achievement of Master James of St George and is probably the most
sophisticated example of medieval military architecture in Britain.
This concentric castle has an inner ward that is rectangular with a round tower at each corner,
D-shaped towers in the middle of two walls and double gatehouses. The octagonal outer ward has drum towers
and there is a dock and the Gunner's Walk.
Caernarfon Castle
Probably the most famous of Wales' castles, Caernarfon was built by Edward I as the seat of his
government in Wales and it was here that he controversially presented his first born son
(later Edward II) to the people of Wales as their prince. From that time on it has been customary
to name the eldest son of the British monarch 'Prince of Wales'.
Work commenced in 1283 but was interrupted by a Welsh uprising in 1294. Later Edward was forced to
redirect finances towards the campaign in Scotland and the castle was never completed.
The castle is a narrow-waisted enclosure which incorporates the remains of an 11th century motte.
A series of polygonal mural towers, (the Eagle Tower being the most magnificent), and the walls
are of banded masonry to imitate the walls of Constantinople. The immense King's Gate incorporates
two draw-bridges, five great doors and six portcullises.
The Chamberlain and Queen's Towers now house the regimental museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
SEE MORE CASTLES IN NORTH WALES >
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