Caernarvon Castle

The History of Caernarvon Castle
The History of the site of Caernarvon Castle dates back to antiquity. The Romans built forts in this area and Hillforts, built by the Celts, and a Norman Motte and Bailey castle were also constructed within this location. The Norman Earl Hugh of Rhuddlen built a stone castle at the location in 1090. The Druid Wizard, Merlin, and several prophecies, were strongly associated with Caernarvon. Merlin was believed to have been born in a cave outside Caernarvon. For more information click Caernarvon Castle Welsh Mythology. The name Caernarvon is believed to be derived from 'Caer Myrddin' meaning Merlin's town or fortress. King Edward I was very aware of the old myths, legends and prophecies surrounding Caernavon. King Edward knew that if he could be seen to fulfil an old Celtic prophecy that his invasion and triumph over the Welsh would be given the credibility that he craved. King Edward wanted to draw comparisons between himself and King Arthur - and any other ancient Kings who were revered by the Britons. It is no coincidence that Caernarvon Castle was built differently to the other Welsh castles!  

Caernarvon Castle

Caernarvon Castle

• The History of Caernarvon Castle
• Information and Facts about the famous Welsh Caernarvon Castle
• When was this Welsh Medieval Castle built?
• The Design, Layout and Architecture of Caernarvon Castle  in Wales

Key facts and Information about Caernarvon Castle

• The location of Caernarvon Castle - Caernarvon, Gwynedd, North Wales
• Welsh spelling - Caernarfon
• Caernarvon lay on the traditional route to and from Ireland, via the Menai Strait and Anglesey
• The building of Caernarvon Castle started in started in 1283
• The building of Caernarvon Castle was completed in 1287
• The Architecture / Style - Gothic Architecture aka Edwardian
• The original cost of building Caernarvon Castle - £27,000
• The architecture of Caernarvon Castle designed to draw comparisons to Welsh Legends and Myths
• The walls of the Caernarvon Castle were given a striking patterning with bands of different coloured stone - an allusion to the "towers of many colours".
• The towers were of an angular design as opposed to the round towers of other castles reflecting the Architecture of Constantine

The Building of Caernarvon Castle
The history of the building of Caernarvon Castle is fascinating. In just a relatively short period of time a significant number of new Welsh Medieval Castles were built or modernised under the instructions of King Edward I (1272-1307) including Caernarvon Castle.  King Edward employed the services of an architect and master builder called Master James of St George to carry out many of these ambitious plans for a chain of Medieval castles to be built in Wales. Caernarvon Castle was built in Gwynedd, North Wales Wales on the Southern end of the Menai Strait. An important feature of Caernarvon Castle is its access to the sea. During the construction of Caernarvon Castle men, equipment and building materials were easily transported by boats to the site of the castle. Once Caernarvon Castle was built fresh supplies, provisions and reinforcements prevented the castle occupants from being starved into submission during siege warfare. The advantages of swift and easy accessibility via the sea ensured that the new fortified town, which was built at the same time as the castle, became a successful and prosperous stronghold for its English inhabitants.

Caernarvon - A Concentric Castle Design
Welsh Castles including Caernarvon Castle, built by Edward I, are referred to as Concentric Castles. The Gothic architecture of the Medieval era together with the design of Concentric Castles encompassed some, or all, of the following elements:

• A Stronger central Keep or Main Tower
• A Round or Circular Shaped Keep
• A High wall, complete with towers surrounded the Keep and the Inner Bailey
• At least one lower, outer wall surrounded the Inner High Wall
• Several Outer Walls and Outer Baileys were often added!
• Several Gatehouses were featured
• Moats were added which surrounded the whole Concentric Castle complex

Concentric castles were bigger than any previous castles! The walls were thicker, stronger and higher with turrets! The Inner Walls were higher than Outer walls! Drawbridges were added! The interiors were more comfortable, even luxurious! Concentric Castles, like Caernarvon, were very expensive! The following extract is taken from a letter, dated February 1296, from Master James of St George and his Clerk of Works, Walter of Winchester, to the King's Exchequer:

Caernarvon - A Welsh Fortified Town (aka Bastide or Burgh)
Caernarvon Castle was constructed in conjunction with a new, fortified town. The idea of building fortified, purpose-built townships were based on a combination of the Bastides of Gascony and the Burghs, or Burhs, built by King Alfred the Great of England. Welsh Medieval Fortified Townships. The 'Bastide' at Caernarvon was a strongly defended town, the construction of which, had been subject to proper planning and architectural design. The layout of the town at Caernarvon took into consideration the following defence factors:

• The layout of the town's houses and buildings in Caernarvon were planned so that they would not impede the circulation of troops
• The rapid movement of the troops garrisoned at Caernarvon was ensured by building a main road which provided direct access to the curtain wall and the main gate and towers
• The central public square in the Caernarvon township doubled as a mustering point for all troops
• Wall Towers could only be accessed from a doorway on the battlement accessed via a moveable wooden staircase on the inside of the wall
• The central public square doubled as a mustering point for all troops
• The Town wall was defended by a number of towers
• The weakest points of any building are the corners - these towers were therefore round
• Wall Towers could only be accessed from a doorway on the battlement accessed via a moveable wooden staircase on the inside of the wall

Caernarvon Castle
Caernarvon Castle was one of the ten key Welsh Medieval Castles which were commissioned by King Edward I. The Welsh Medieval Castles built by the English under the direction of King Edward I provided a power base for the Medieval Plantagenet King and ensured that the Welsh were subservient to the new English rule. Edward crushed the Welsh rebellion under Llewellyn ap Gruffudd and conquered his kingdom of Gwynedd in Northern Wales. Wales was conquered by Edward I and became incorporated into England under the Statute of Rhuddlan ( also called the Statute of Wales ) in 1284 - the building of Caernarvon Castle helped King Edward I to achieve his ambitions. 

Caernarvon Castle Welsh Mythology

Caernarvon Castle

Caernarvon Castle

• The History of Caernarvon Castle
• Information & Facts about Caernarvon Castle
• When was this Welsh Medieval Castle built?
• The Design, Layout and Architecture of Caernarvon Castle 

Welsh Medieval Fortified Townships
Concentric Castles
Master James of St George
Caernarvon Castle Welsh Mythology
King Edward I