When Edward I assumed the throne in 1272, Wales was ruled by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last). Henry III had been a weak ruler and his reign had been marked by reign had been marked by rebellion, confusion and indecision. Llywelan had successfully exploited his weak and ineffective rule to obtain complete control of the principality culminating in English recognition of his title of Prince of Wales at the Treaty of Montgomery in 1267.
Edward after fighting in the crusades was an experienced and decisive leader, determined to make his mark on England. Relations between Edward and Llywelyn quickly deteriorated, resulting in two campaigns to defeat Llywelyn and bring Wales under English rule. To increase his hold and control of the area, Edward strengthened existing Welsh castle like Criccieth, Dolwyddelan and Castles y Bere. He also built many new castles in an attempt to subjugate the Welsh and stop further uprisings. All were designed by his military architect, James of St George. Not only were they a statement of Edward’s power, they were also state of the art military design. They were also in tended to function as royal palaces, capable of supporting the king and queen's households in secure comfort.
They are the most ambitious and concentrated medieval building project designed to prevent the need for further (expensive) military campaigns. The castles are among the finest examples of late C13th and early C14th military architecture and illustrate the developments in castle building from development from a motte and bailey castle to the concentric castle which relied on rings of walls for protection. Later castles were built with a planned walled town or Bastide, which allowed the English settlers to live safely inside the walls. All were built with direct access to the sea so they could be supplied by sea.
As many as 2000 men were needed and money was always a problem, stretching royal finances to the limit. By the time Beaumaris Castle was built, the money had run out and it was never completed. By then, Wales was firmly under English control and the castle was effectively redundant.
Unlike many castles which have evolved over the years into sumptuous living quarters, the Edwardian Castles have undergone little change and retain their original architectural form. The castles are now in the care of Cadw and their policy has been to conserve as found with minimal intervention or modification.
Flint was the first castle to be constructed and is the only one to have been built with a keep. Rhuddlan and Harlech soon followed and are the first examples of concentric castles. Conwy and Caernarfon could probably be best described as ‘figure of eight’ castles as shape was diced by terrain. They were also built with a planned walled town. Beaumaris was the last to be built and is possibly the best example of a concentric castle with its moat and two rings of walls. If it had been completed, it would have been virtually impregnable.
Denbigh Castle was built at the same time and, although not built by James of St George was an important link in Edward’s chain of castles.
The castles all played a major role in the history of England and Wales. Together they form one of the most complete examples of the development of medieval fortifications. Even ruined they are among some of the most impressive castles in Britain. Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech are World Heritage sites.
Flint Castle - the first castle to be built
Flint Castle was built on a rocky outcrop along the River Dee and close to the border of England and Wales.
It was the first of Edward’s Castles to be built in 1277 and is very different to the later castles as it is the only one to have been built with a keep.
When Edward became king, relations between him and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd quickly deteriorated. In 1277, Edward marched along the North Wales coast and, faced by the prospect of overwhelming defeat, Llywelyn withdrew into the mountainous Snowdonia region hoping to draw the English King into a protracted, and costly, guerrilla war. He was thwarted as Edward launched a naval attack on Anglesey, the bread-basket of North West Wales, compelling the Welsh to surrender. Llywelyn was stripped of all his territory to the east of the River Conwy, although he was allowed to keep his title, Prince of Wales. Edward consolidated his victory with the construction of a series of castles with Flint being the first. Begun in 1277, 970 diggers, 300 carpenters and 200 stonemasons were employed and the castle was completed in 1282 at a cost of £6068.7s.5d. It was quickly followed by further castles at Rhuddlan and Denbigh.
There was no previous settlement on the site, which was low lying. The castle was constructed on a rocky outcrop which jutted into the River Dee which provided additional protection to the walled outer Bailey by a tidal moat.
Beyond was the inner bailey, surrounded by a wall with three defensive towers. This was the fore runner of the later concentric castles and contained the domestic buildings. The massive round stand alone keep or donjon was separated from the inner ward by its own moat and was only accessible over a drawbridge.
With massive 20’ walls, it was intended to be the final refuge in the event of an attack. Unlike previous keeps, it was built with a central courtyard with galleries with rooms off. The topmost level was reserved for the royal court.
A civilian settlement was built to the south of the castle, protected by a double ditch plus wooden palisade. For a while, Flint was a royal castle and the town grew in prosperity.
Welsh resistance continued and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was killed in 1284. Ten years later, Madog ap Llywelyn burnt the town, but the castle held out against the Welsh. Owain Glyndŵr made various attacks on Flint in 1403 which again destroyed much of the town, before he finally fled and disappeared in the mountains of Snowdonia.
In 1399, Richard II was held prisoner in the castle by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke where he was forced to abdicate leaving Bolingbroke to become Henry IV.
The castle was repaired and garrisoned for the Royalists in the Civil War. It survived a three month siege before surrendering. It was slighted by the Parliamentarians to prevent its further military use.
Although now ruined the original plan can clearly be seen in aerial photographs.
This has always been rather a deprived part of Wales and the castle gets few visitors. It is unmanned and has suffered from vandalism in the past. It always feels forlorn and forgotten.
Edward after fighting in the crusades was an experienced and decisive leader, determined to make his mark on England. Relations between Edward and Llywelyn quickly deteriorated, resulting in two campaigns to defeat Llywelyn and bring Wales under English rule. To increase his hold and control of the area, Edward strengthened existing Welsh castle like Criccieth, Dolwyddelan and Castles y Bere. He also built many new castles in an attempt to subjugate the Welsh and stop further uprisings. All were designed by his military architect, James of St George. Not only were they a statement of Edward’s power, they were also state of the art military design. They were also in tended to function as royal palaces, capable of supporting the king and queen's households in secure comfort.
They are the most ambitious and concentrated medieval building project designed to prevent the need for further (expensive) military campaigns. The castles are among the finest examples of late C13th and early C14th military architecture and illustrate the developments in castle building from development from a motte and bailey castle to the concentric castle which relied on rings of walls for protection. Later castles were built with a planned walled town or Bastide, which allowed the English settlers to live safely inside the walls. All were built with direct access to the sea so they could be supplied by sea.
As many as 2000 men were needed and money was always a problem, stretching royal finances to the limit. By the time Beaumaris Castle was built, the money had run out and it was never completed. By then, Wales was firmly under English control and the castle was effectively redundant.
Unlike many castles which have evolved over the years into sumptuous living quarters, the Edwardian Castles have undergone little change and retain their original architectural form. The castles are now in the care of Cadw and their policy has been to conserve as found with minimal intervention or modification.
Flint was the first castle to be constructed and is the only one to have been built with a keep. Rhuddlan and Harlech soon followed and are the first examples of concentric castles. Conwy and Caernarfon could probably be best described as ‘figure of eight’ castles as shape was diced by terrain. They were also built with a planned walled town. Beaumaris was the last to be built and is possibly the best example of a concentric castle with its moat and two rings of walls. If it had been completed, it would have been virtually impregnable.
Denbigh Castle was built at the same time and, although not built by James of St George was an important link in Edward’s chain of castles.
The castles all played a major role in the history of England and Wales. Together they form one of the most complete examples of the development of medieval fortifications. Even ruined they are among some of the most impressive castles in Britain. Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech are World Heritage sites.
Flint Castle - the first castle to be built
Flint Castle was built on a rocky outcrop along the River Dee and close to the border of England and Wales.
It was the first of Edward’s Castles to be built in 1277 and is very different to the later castles as it is the only one to have been built with a keep.
When Edward became king, relations between him and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd quickly deteriorated. In 1277, Edward marched along the North Wales coast and, faced by the prospect of overwhelming defeat, Llywelyn withdrew into the mountainous Snowdonia region hoping to draw the English King into a protracted, and costly, guerrilla war. He was thwarted as Edward launched a naval attack on Anglesey, the bread-basket of North West Wales, compelling the Welsh to surrender. Llywelyn was stripped of all his territory to the east of the River Conwy, although he was allowed to keep his title, Prince of Wales. Edward consolidated his victory with the construction of a series of castles with Flint being the first. Begun in 1277, 970 diggers, 300 carpenters and 200 stonemasons were employed and the castle was completed in 1282 at a cost of £6068.7s.5d. It was quickly followed by further castles at Rhuddlan and Denbigh.
There was no previous settlement on the site, which was low lying. The castle was constructed on a rocky outcrop which jutted into the River Dee which provided additional protection to the walled outer Bailey by a tidal moat.
Beyond was the inner bailey, surrounded by a wall with three defensive towers. This was the fore runner of the later concentric castles and contained the domestic buildings. The massive round stand alone keep or donjon was separated from the inner ward by its own moat and was only accessible over a drawbridge.
With massive 20’ walls, it was intended to be the final refuge in the event of an attack. Unlike previous keeps, it was built with a central courtyard with galleries with rooms off. The topmost level was reserved for the royal court.
A civilian settlement was built to the south of the castle, protected by a double ditch plus wooden palisade. For a while, Flint was a royal castle and the town grew in prosperity.
Welsh resistance continued and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was killed in 1284. Ten years later, Madog ap Llywelyn burnt the town, but the castle held out against the Welsh. Owain Glyndŵr made various attacks on Flint in 1403 which again destroyed much of the town, before he finally fled and disappeared in the mountains of Snowdonia.
In 1399, Richard II was held prisoner in the castle by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke where he was forced to abdicate leaving Bolingbroke to become Henry IV.
The castle was repaired and garrisoned for the Royalists in the Civil War. It survived a three month siege before surrendering. It was slighted by the Parliamentarians to prevent its further military use.
Although now ruined the original plan can clearly be seen in aerial photographs.
This has always been rather a deprived part of Wales and the castle gets few visitors. It is unmanned and has suffered from vandalism in the past. It always feels forlorn and forgotten.
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