These impressive castles offer visitors an opportunity to explore the history of two colliding cultures, Welsh and English.
Eldest son of Henry III, Edward I typified the ideal of medieval kingship. Through campaigns conducted in 1277 and again in 1282-83, he sought mastery over Wales, succeeding in overthrowing Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and bringing Wales under English control. To consolidate his victories, he built a series of great castles, beginning in 1277 and ending with Beaumaris in 1295. The castle at Rhuddlan was constructed close to previous fortifications, whereas Beaumaris was built on an entirely new site. In addition, new castles were constructed at Flint, Conwy, Harlech and Caernarfon.
Castles Constructed After the Welsh Campaign of 1277
Flint Castle, chosen for its strategic position alongside the Dee estuary, allowing it to be provisioned from the land or from the sea, was Edward’s first base in North Wales. The positioning of his castles with access from the sea was a key strength of Edward’s overall strategy. Time and again, the weak link in the English campaigns had been the guerrilla tactics employed by the Welsh, who were at their best when instigating ambushes within the mountain passes of Wales. Edward’s careful consideration of the location of his fortresses scored a tactical hit.
Rhuddlan Castle was the scene of Llywelyn’s submission to Edward I, which brought the end of the hostilities which marked the first of Edward’s Welsh campaigns. Fortified since the 11th century, at least, initially as a royal seat of the House of Wales, Rhuddlan in the 13th century acted as Edward’s base for his 1277 campaign.
Creation of Conwy and Caernarfon
Following Llywelyn’s uprising in 1282, Edward extended his fortifications to encompass castles and town walls at Conwy and Caernarfon and the splendid castle at Harlech.
Harlech Castle, begun in 1283, is a breathtaking sight, guarded by the sea and set atop an impregnable cliff face. It’s strategic advantages are at once apparent and were tested during the revolt of 1294-5, when the besieged garrison was saved by supplies brought by sea.
Caernarfon Castle and Imperial Symbolism
The castle and royal town of Caernarfon were begun in 1283, as part of Edward I’s plans to colonise Wales. Again, the castle was built along the shoreline, enabling it to be supplied by the sea. In addition to its defensive purposes, Caernarfon stood as an emblem of English superiority within Wales. It’s symbolism was striking – the Eagle Tower spoke volumes of Edward’s imperialistic intentions and, with its walls of different banded stone modelled on those of the imperial city of Constantinople, Edward again reiterated his goal to subjugate Wales.
Caernarfon stood as the symbol of royal government within Wales, a fitting birthplace for the King’s son, later Edward II, the first English-born prince of Wales.
The castle and town walls of Conwy were also begun in 1283 in response to Llywelyn’s uprising. The town walls which remain a key feature of the town today, protected the English citizens from the inhospitable natives. Conwy rightly deserves its position as a World Heritage site, for its position and completeness mark it out as one of the most impressive remains of the medieval period.
Edward I and Beaumaris
Begun in 1295 and therefore, the last of Edward I’s ‘iron ring’ of castles, Beaumaris was undoubtedly built in reaction to the revolt of 1294-5. Its design delineates the concentric style to perfection and its defensive attributes were some of the most sophisticated of its time. However, in many ways, its promise was never fulfilled. Diverted from Wales by events on the Continent and in Scotland, the funds necessary to complete the works at Beaumaris were withdrawn. The conquest of Wales was complete.
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