Caernarfon Castle
QUICK FACTS
Full Address: Castle Ditch, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 2AY, Wales
Cared For By: Cadw (the Welsh Government's historic environment service)
Construction Date: Began in 1283
Castle Type: Stone concentric castle with a polygonal tower layout
State of Preservation: Well-preserved
Opening Times: Open year-round (exact hours vary seasonally; check the Cadw website)
Dog-Friendly Status: Assistance dogs only
On the edge of the River Seiont in northwest Wales, Caernarfon Castle is a fortress, a symbol of royal ambition, and an enduring link to Wales' exciting medieval past.
Built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales, this monumental structure is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site collectively known as the "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd."
Before the Castle
Long before Edward I envisioned his masterpiece, the site where Caernarfon Castle now stands was already steeped in history. In Roman times, this area hosted the fort of Segontium, strategically placed to control the region and keep the native tribes in check. After the Romans left, the area retained its strategic importance, serving as a key stronghold for the Welsh princes of Gwynedd, particularly during the reign of the influential Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, also known as Llywelyn the Last.
This connection to Welsh royalty added to the significance of the site, making it a natural focus for Edward I's military and symbolic campaign.
Edward I and the Conquest of Wales
Caernarfon Castle was part of Edward I’s iron ring of castles, a network of fortifications designed to subjugate the Welsh. Following the defeat and death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282, Edward embarked on an ambitious campaign to consolidate English control over Gwynedd. Caernarfon was a practical military stronghold and also a visible reminder of English authority.
Construction began in 1283, and Edward spared no expense. The castle’s design is attributed to master mason James of St. George, who incorporated cutting-edge medieval architecture. Unlike many of Edward’s other castles, which followed traditional concentric designs, Caernarfon was unique. Its polygonal towers, inspired by the walls of Constantinople, gave it an air of imperial grandeur, hinting at Edward’s vision of himself as a ruler with both divine and earthly authority.
The Legend of Macsen Wledig
The site also held symbolic resonance for Edward. Welsh mythology associated Caernarfon with Macsen Wledig, a legendary Roman emperor (often identified as Magnus Maximus), and Edward leaned into this narrative. By aligning himself with such imperial traditions, Edward framed his conquest not just as a military campaign but as the rightful restoration of order.
The Eagle Tower, the castle’s most iconic feature, was a particularly potent symbol. Its incredible height and intricate design were meant to evoke imperial strength and awe.
Construction Challenges
Despite its grandeur, building Caernarfon Castle was not an easy task. Edward poured vast sums of money into its construction—around £25,000, an astronomical sum for the time. Work was slow and labor-intensive, relying on stonemasons, carpenters, and laborers brought in from England and elsewhere.
While much of the castle was completed by the early 1290s, parts of the structure, particularly its interior, remained unfinished. The constant threat of Welsh uprisings, including Madog ap Llywelyn’s revolt in 1294, made construction a precarious and sometimes dangerous endeavor.
The Birth of the Prince of Wales
In 1301, Edward I declared his son, Edward of Caernarfon, the first Prince of Wales, a title that symbolised the subjugation of the Welsh people. According to legend—though historians dispute its veracity—Edward presented his newborn son to the Welsh nobility, promising them a prince "born in Wales, who spoke no word of English." True or not, the event reinforced Caernarfon’s role as a focal point of English authority in Wales.
Later History
After Edward I’s death and the waning of English attention on Wales, Caernarfon Castle began to lose its strategic importance. By the late medieval period, it was neglected and fell into disrepair, though it saw occasional use during moments of conflict, such as Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion in the early 15th century.
By the 17th century, the castle was little more than a ruin. However, the romanticism of the 18th and 19th centuries, combined with growing interest in Britain’s medieval past, brought renewed attention to Caernarfon. Restoration efforts in the 19th and early 20th centuries ensured that it was preserved.
The Castle Today
Caernarfon Castle is one of Wales’ most iconic landmarks. Managed by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, it draws thousands of visitors annually. Its imposing walls and towers offer a glimpse into the medieval world, while exhibitions explore its historical significance.
In 1969, Caernarfon played host to the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales, an event steeped in controversy and symbolism, reflecting the castle’s enduring role as a site of power, identity, and debate.
Legacy and Reflection
Caernarfon Castle remains a powerful symbol of Wales' history—both its conquest and resilience. While it stands as a testament to Edward I’s ambition, it’s also a reminder of the Welsh struggle for independence and cultural survival. Would you call it a symbol of oppression or an architectural masterpiece? Perhaps it’s both—and therein lies its compelling complexity!
Sources
Morgan, David. “The Symbolism of Caernarfon Castle: Imperial Myths and Conquest.” The Journal of Medieval History, Vol. 25, 1999.
Davies, R. R. The Age of Conquest: Wales, 1063–1415. Oxford University Press, 1991.
