Caernarvon Castle

Caernarvon Castle

Fortified castles played an important role during the tumultuous Middle Ages as the fear of native revolt brought about the need for defensive structures in conquered lands. Castles from this era focused on protecting their inhabitants from sieges by attackers. It was rare that a castle was ever built for the purpose of subduing the conquered peoples into accepting foreign rule. Nevertheless, construction began in the late thirteenth century on a castle situated on the Menai Strait in Wales that sought to accomplish just this. The Caernarvon Castle built by King Edward I was in every right a robustly fortified castle. However, details in the construction and placement of the Caernarvon Castle have led scholars and tourists alike to conclude that its purpose was much greater than that of a mere defensive castle. The Caernarvon Castle was built as political catalyst to unify the Welsh and English peoples while its defensive nature was intended to persuade them to submit to the crown.

King Edward I appointed Master James of St. George as the primary architect of Caernarvon Castle. James was a mason from Savoy and was responsible for constructing 12 of the 17 Welsh castles built by Edward I. The fact that Edward I's mother was raised in Savoy likely has a great deal to with his selection of Master James as an architect. While some question the degree to which Master James designed the castles of Wales without the king's guidance, the living quarters are regarded as being wholly designed by him. The domestic quarters of these castles bear an uncanny resemblance to buildings constructed by Master James in Savoy. Master James' skills as a mason were nothing extraordinary, but he did an excellent job of executing the king's orders.2 For his efforts, Master James received an impressive salary for his time that transpired into a life long pension after his retirement. King Edward I's expenses were not limited to the master mason, however. Edward I's construction effort required a monumental usage of resources with up to 400 skilled masons and 2000 unskilled workers employed at any given time.1 The construction of Caernarvon Castle began in 1283 with the Eagle Tower. A wooden barricade was built to keep attackers from disrupting construction and stone was transported by sea. At 124 feet in height, the Eagle Tower was completed in 1285 and served as the primary defensive structure while construction continued. Concerns of a Welsh uprising proved true when Madog ap Llywelyn invaded in 1294. After regaining control the following summer, the English began construction on the King's Gate and additional towers surrounding the castle. These towers had walls that were up to twenty feet thick. As Caernarvon neared completion, the extreme use of manpower and natural resources brought the total cost of the castle to £25,000 after 50 years of construction. Construction