Caernarfon Castle

From its genesis as a motte and bailey castle built by the Norman invaders to its current status as an iconic monument of Welsh history and identity, Caernarfon Castle has stood for over eight hundred years as a symbol of power and authority in Wales.

The Origins of Caernarfon Castle

Perched defiantly on the banks of the River Seiont stands the mighty Caernarfon Castle, its towering walls and muscular towers projecting an indomitable spirit. From its genesis as a motte and bailey castle built by the Norman invaders to its current status as an iconic monument of Welsh history and identity, Caernarfon has stood for over eight hundred years as a symbol of power and authority in Wales.

A wooden keep sat atop a steep earthen mound, or motte, surrounded by a courtyard and palisade known as the bailey. The site was chosen for its natural defenses, with the River Seiont on one side and marshy ground on the other. The location also provided strategic access to the Menai Strait and Irish Sea, making it ideal for controlling seaborne trade and military transport routes.

While the motte and bailey castle sufficed for the Normans, Caernarfon’s stature was greatly expanded under Edward I of England as he aggressively pursued the conquest of North Wales during the late 13th century. The English king selected the site as the administrative centre of the newly conquered territory due to its prominence, kicking off a massive phase of castle construction that transformed both Caernarfon’s scale and strategic capabilities.

Edward I and the Castle’s Construction

After declaring himself the new Prince of Wales in 1301, Edward I set about turning Caernarfon into a fortress worthy of the title. The wooden motte and bailey structure was demolished to make way for a spectacular new stone-built castle as part of the King’s “iron ring” of formidable fortifications encircling North Wales.

The king’s master mason James of St. George oversaw construction, which began in 1283 and consumed vast resources over the next thirty years. At its peak, thousands of laborers worked on site, quarrying and shaping the locally sourced gray-green Dolwyddelan stone used to erect the massive walls and towers. The construction of Caernarfon represented one of the largest castle-building projects of its time in Europe.

Innovative castle design elements were introduced under Edward I, who prioritized defenses capable of withstanding attack rather than comfort and aesthetics. Caernarfon’s concentric-walled layout was technologically advanced, allowing defenders to assail besiegers from multiple angles with crossfire.

Rather than graceful round turrets, Caernarfon’s towers took on a new polygonal design that eliminated blind spots and allowed defenders to shoot attackers directly below the battlements. The arrival of cannonry centuries later would eventually render many of these medieval defensive measures obsolete, but at the time Caernarfon represented the cutting edge of military fortification design.

Key Architectural Features

The imposing physical presence of Caernarfon Castle is evident in its muscular exterior walls bristling with towers and along the row of massive gatehouses limiting access. Spanning over 3 acres with a perimeter stretching nearly 1,500 feet, Caernarfon’s physical scale projects an intimidating aura of impregnability.

The outer curtain walls form an irregular polygonal shape and are studded with at least ten stout two-story towers for maximizing defensive angles. Of these robust cylindrical towers, the Eagle Tower is the most prominent, soaring above the entrance to dominate the views of those approaching the castle.

The Eagle Tower’s height allowed sentries to spot enemies from afar and served as a luxurious lodging for the king and his family, featuring large windows and fireplaces. So critical was this tower that its interior was completed first to provide secure lodgings as soon as possible.

In addition to the intimidating landward defenses, Caernarfon was also protected from the seaward side by a series of gates and walls controlling access from the River Seiont. Supplies and reinforcements could reach Caernarfon through the Water Gate, while attackers would face massive doors and the threat of missiles raining down from above.

Both the natural terrain and manmade fortifications contrived to make Caernarfon a veritable death trap for any army foolish enough to lay siege. With its polygonal turreted walls and commanding towers, Caernarfon stood as a Welsh bulwark symbolising Edward I’s overwhelming might and mastery.

The Castle and the Prince of Wales

As the headquarters of Edward I’s administration in North Wales, Caernarfon Castle played a central role in suppressing local resistance and establishing English authority over the region. The king’s son, Edward II, was born there in 1284, and in 1301 he became the first English Prince of Wales, beginning a long tradition of linking Caernarfon with the investiture of heirs to the throne.

By staging the initial investiture of his son at Caernarfon Castle, Edward I sought to symbolize the newborn prince’s dominance over the Welsh as his heir. The castle was embellished with regal accommodations like the Queen’s Tower and the partially-built Nun’s House was prepared for the ceremony. In 1911, Caernarfon was again used for the investiture of Prince Edward, the future Edward VIII.

The investiture of Prince Charles in 1969 marked the beginning of the castle’s present-day role as a visitor attraction rather than a functional stronghold. The ceremony emphasized Welsh culture and traditions in contrast to the earlier investitures. Though no longer an active royal residence, the castle continues to be a setting associated with the ritual of crowning the Prince of Wales.

Nearly 700 years after its construction, Caernarfon maintains its connection to royalty along with its symbolic status representing English authority imposed on Wales. Despite its origins as an instrument of conquest, the castle is now viewed as source of national pride by the Welsh.

8 surprising facts about one of the most famous castles in Wales

1. It was built on top of an ancient Roman fort. Saving time and resources, King Edward I had Caernarfon Castle built right on top of the ruins of a Roman fort called Segontium. Parts of the old fortifications were integrated into the new castle’s imposing walls.
2. It took over 40 years to complete its construction. Building a castle of such immense size and complexity was a massive undertaking in the 13th century. The castle was not considered finished until 1330, more than four decades after construction began in 1283.
3. Its design was meant to mimic Constantinople. Caernarfon’s architectural style was deliberately chosen to echo the walls and towers of distant Constantinople, then capital of the Byzantine Empire. This symbolised Edward I’s imperial ambitions.
4. It introduced innovative new design features. Caernarfon boasted colorful banded masonry patterns and polygonal towers that were revolutionary innovations in castle design at the time.
5. It was the birthplace of the first English Prince of Wales. When King Edward I’s son was born at Caernarfon in 1284, he was given the title Prince of Wales, starting a tradition for English heir apparents.
6. The Eagle Tower housed a loyal family. The Aangell family was rewarded with lodgings in the Eagle Tower for their support of King Edward I during his conquest of North Wales.
7. It could garrison over 2,000 troops. At its peak, Caernarfon Castle could hold a formidable garrison of 2,000 men, enabling it to withstand multiple sieges through its history.
8. It became a World Heritage Site in 1986. Recognized for its historical and architectural significance, Caernarfon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.

Caernarfon Castle Today

While Caernarfon Castle no longer serves its original purpose as a military fortification, it remains an impressive ruin and popular tourist destination today. Since coming under the management of Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh government, the site has been equipped to accommodate and educate visitors.

A walk along the castle’s imposing mantle of walls gives a sense of its grand scale and strategic position. Visitors can also access the towers and interior buildings like the Eagle Tower, Queen’s Tower, and chambers within the King’s Gate. Exhibits provide background on the castle’s history and architecture.

The castle’s presence along the River Seiont makes it a picturesque event venue, hosting concerts, jousting events, food festivals, and theatrical productions during summers. Around Christmas, the wintry twilight castle becomes the stage for musical performances.

As one of the most iconic medieval castles in Wales and Britain, Caernarfon continues to draw visitors ranging from history buffs to tourists. While strongly associated with England’s conquest of the country, it remains a source of pride for the Welsh as both an impressive feat of construction and enduring symbol of their nation. The ancient fortress persists as a monument to the indelible spirit of Wales.

Over eight centuries after its construction by King Edward I, Caernarfon Castle continues to stand as an imposing Welsh landmark rich with history. Its polygonal towers and hulking walls bear testament to its original purpose as a symbol of English authority, while its role in the investiture of the Prince of Wales connects it to British royalty.

While other medieval castles have crumbled into picturesque ruins, Caernarfon remains remarkably intact, allowing visitors to experience its strategic design and architectural grandeur. The site draws legions of annual visitors attracted by its majestic scale and dramatic riverside location, making it one of Wales’ most iconic attractions.

More than just a relic of the country’s medieval past, Caernarfon persists as a monument to Welsh identity, a canvas upon which the nation’s story has been written for generations. Under Cadw stewardship, the castle continues to share its unique history and evolution with visitors from around the world. Caernarfon stands as an enduring medieval stronghold, its imposing shadow an ever-present reminder of the indomitable spirit of Wales.

---

---