CaernarfonCastle

►Caernarfon is architecturally one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales.

►It's defensive capabilities were not as overt or as powerful as those of Edward I's other castles such as Harlech and Beaumaris (which indicate the pinnacle of castle building and defences in Britain).

►Caernarfon was instead intended as a seat of power - and as a symbol of English dominance over the subdued Welsh.

►Build on the coast to allow supplies by boat.

►The castle of Edward I at Caernarfon succeeded first a Roman fort, and then a Norman motte and bailey - built by Hugh of Avranches around 1090.

►This motte was incorporated into the Edwardian castle, but was destroyed around 1870

►The Welsh retook the original motte in 1115 and retained control until Edward's invasion and colonization in 1283.

►The site's previous history also demonstrates the strategic importance of the site.

►Edward's building was initiated by his march from Chester, and work probably began in May 1283.

Defences

►Caernarfon was defended in two parts - the castle itself, and the town walls. Edward's strongest castles were concentric, providing optimal defensive capabilities, but the use of castle and town walls provided up to two lines of defence, with the benefit of an ostentatious appearance - essential when considering Caernarfon's intended purpose. However, it should not be assumed that Caernarfon was a weak castle - it's completed defences were formidable.

►The castle itself had two gateways defended by strong gatehouses; it also had seven towers lining it's walls (which themselves were up to twenty feet thick). The north wall was initially absent, being defended by a ditch and the town itself; the second building phase saw this wall added, completed by the King's Gate.

►The King's Gate was never fully completed, but was immensely strong - it was twin towered, and had been intended to have a drawbridge, five doors, six portcullises, and a right angled turn (rendering attackers' shields useless as they turned the corner) from the main gatehouse into a smaller ward over a second drawbridge... and that doesn't even begin to consider the arrangement of murder holes, arrow loops and spy holes.

►The defences at the Queen's Gate were not as substantial as those at the other gateway; again, it was never fully completed. The gate was defended by twin towers, but could only be reached up the stone ramp from ground level to the summit of the earlier motte, on top of which the Queen's Gate was originally built. This made it far less vulnerable to attack, but even so, the gate was defended by two drawbridges and five murder holes.

►The final, and major, part of Caernarfon's defences were the town walls. This was an 800 yard circuit with eight towers and two twin towered gateways. The towers were situated 70 yards apart, the southern end of the circuit was blocked by the castle walls. The town walls were entirely surrounded by water filled moats, and the Rivers Cadnant and Seiont, and of course, the MenaiStrait. The East Gate was the principal entrance - defended by a drawbridge, crenellated gateway, and two towers. The West Gate also had two towers, in addition to a barbican and portcullis; it faced out onto the MenaiStrait.

Accommodation

►The EagleTower, Queen's Tower, ChamberlainTower and BlackTower all were accommodation towers built on several storeys, mostly with self contained chapels on each storey (indicative of high status accommodation).

►Two halls existed - the Great Hall and a hall in the King's Tower. The castle was intended to and capable of accommodating the household of the king's eldest son (created Prince of Wales under Edward I), with his council, family and guests also in attendance.

►This was as the castle was intended as the capital of a new dominion and a palace for the dynasty of the new Prince of Wales.

►In addition to the grandeur, the castle also permanently housed a constable, watchmen, and the garrison.

Power

►At Caernarfon the walls were given a prominent patterning with bands of different coloured stone.

►Moreover, the towers were constructed in an angular fashion rather than the more usual rounded form of, for example, Conwy or Beaumaris.

►It is difficult to escape the conclusion that Edward I was drawing upon symbolism, and turned for inspiration to the great city of Constantinople. There, in the eastern successor to Rome and one of the wonders of the ancient world, the 5th-century walls bear a striking resemblance to this late 13th-century castle.

►Overall, the king was creating a fitting building to be a new royal residence, a palace, intended to be the seat of government for the newly-formed shire counties of north Wales.

►Everywhere, strength and majesty are evident in its walls and turrets.