Caernarfon Castle – An Iron Fortress of Wales

Caernarfon Castle is one of the most majestic buildings in Wales. It holds the prestige of being a top tourist attractions in Wales destination as well. Built by King Edward I in 1283, it forms part of the Iron Ring–castles that were constructed in Northern Wales on Edward I’s orders.

This great fortress was besieged several times both by Welsh rebels and English forces but fell only twice in its lifetime – first to the Welsh rebel leader Madog ap Llewlyn in 1297 and then to Parliamentarian forces in 1648 during the English Civil War. Princes who were next in line to the throne were crowned here with the title of “Prince of Wales.” Indeed, Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales was crowned at this fortress in 1969. Below, we’ll discuss this castle in detail:

Caernarfon was one of the first castles of its time to have separate bathrooms and even running water. These were considered highly luxurious facilities at the time.

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Early History

Origins 

The site where Caernarforn sits so proudly today used to be home to a Roman fort back in the day. It was =replaced by a motte-and-bailey structure after the Norman conquest, which was later utilized in the structure that we see today.

The Iron Might of Wales (1280 onwards)

Edward I of England was the one who ordered the building of Caernarfon Castle. He commissioned the works in 1280, to highlight his dominance over the Welsh. The castle was part of his “Iron Ring,” which also consisted of Harlech and Conwy Castles–contemporaries of Caernarfon Castle.

No expense was spared in the construction of this mammoth of a building (costing around 90% of the kingdom’s annual tax income). Master military architect James of St. George was hired to design the structure. 

During construction, workers came from as far as London, and supplies and materials were transported to the site via sea from Liverpool. This was mainly because Welsh rebels were very effective at ambushing and sacking convoys on land. It is estimated that over a period of 50 years this grand castle cost Edward I about 25,000 pounds.

Amidst Welsh Conflicts

The castle was meant to be a royal home and a symbol of strength and dominion of the English people over the local Welsh population. This made the site the subject of ferocious attacks led by Welsh rebels who, while on many occasions failed, once succeeded in capturing the fortress. In 1297 under the leadership of Madog ap Llewlyn, the Welsh locals held the castle, albeit for a short time.

Another rebellion struck Caernarfon Castle in the 15th century (1403-1404). It was helmed by Owain Glyn Dwr (a nationalist of Wales). The rebels stormed the castle and even had French support to back them up.

Eventual Fall to Disrepair (17th Century)

The early 17th century saw Caernarfon Castle being steeped into a deep state of disrepair. Most of the buildings had no roofs and the ones that did had timber rotting in their structure. However, even despite these dilapidated conditions, the castle managed to hold its own against 3 sieges during the English Civil War.

Caernarfon’s Architecture

Caernafon Castle enjoyed the distinct position of being a royal defensive structure. As such, it was built to resist any and all invasions of its era. With four main towers that were used as residential blocks, along with two main gates that were never fully completed, it made for an impressive picture. 

Almost 800 yards of the town wall stretched along the castle’s edges and were interspersed with many towers. Even the town walls were built to resist invasions and were just as impressive as the boundary walls of the castle itself.

Current Times

Caernarfon Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site today. With the castle having a lot of towers, winding passageways, and rooms, it has become an ideal spot for housing museums of interest and permanent exhibitions. It also still hosts royal events from time to time, especially the investures of the Prince of Wales.

The Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers showcasing memorabilia from the 300 years of this important Welsh regiment is found at Caernarfon Castle. An interactive history of the tower and items from the crowning of Prince Charles are showcased in different towers of the castle as well.

Interesting Facts About Caernarfon Castle

• Caernarfon was built to portray the authority and strength of the English to the local Welsh people as a way of intimidating them.
  
• The aesthetics of Caernarfon Castle were inspired by Arthurian and Roman legends.
  
• Despite being grandiose in scale, it took only about 5 years after 1287 for the castle to be complete. Considering that the structure is exceptionally massive and made entirely by hand, it’s quite a quick turnaround time.
  
• There’s a 10-sided tower at Caernarfon (also known as the Eagle Tower) that is an impressive structure that spans a whopping 10 meters (32.8 ft) at its base.
  
• Caernarfon Castle’s architecture is one of the finest sights you’ll ever see. The gorgeous lime and sandstone cladding definitely gave it that extra oomph. The interior was designed to reflect the glory of the exterior, and the murals inside were painted by the same artist who painted Westminister Hall.
  
• Caernarfon was one of the first castles of its time to have separate bathrooms and even running water. These were considered highly luxurious facilities at the time.
  
• The castle’s main entrance, called the King’s Gate, had various defensive features including arrow holes, spy holes, and murder holes.
  
• Caernarfon was the birthplace of Edward of Caernarfon (better known as Edward II and the very first English Prince of Wales), who was eventually crowned the first “Prince of Wales” in 1301.