TimeRef - History Timelines - Caernarvon Castle

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Caernarvon Castle was built by Edward I and his master castle builder, James of St George, who started work on the new castle in around 1283. The site was previously occupied by a Norman Motte and Bailey castle and before that a Roman fort. The castle walls are dominated by thirteen polygonal towers, some large and some small. Normally the towers in the castles constructed at the time were circular. The motte was not removed by Edward and was incorporated into the eastern section of the castle although it has been removed since. The castle is elongated in the east-west direction, with the main entrance on the northern side protected by two of the towers and known as the King's Gate. This entrance would have been defended by up to six portcullises and if the castle had been finished would have led to a large octagonal area that would have provided access to the east and west sections of the rest of the castle. Two of the towers are large enough to be thought of as keep-towers and both are in the eastern section of the castle. The Eagle tower is positioned so that it can be resupplied by sea and could be used as a place of safety even if the rest of the castle had been captured.

Mini Timeline

1090		Construction of Caernavon Castle
		The first castle to be built at Caernarvon was constructed by Hugh of Avranches in about 1090. He built a wooden motte and bailey castle.
1283		Construction of Caernarvon Castle
		Edward and his master castle builder started the reconstruction of a new castle at Caernarvon.
1284	Apr 25	Edward (II) is born
		Edward, the future king of England was born at Caernarvon Castle on the 25th April, 1284. His father was Edward I and his mother was Eleanor of Castile. The castle was probably still under construction as work on it had only begun the year before.
1294	Qtr 3	Caernarfon Castle attacked
		Madog ap Llewelyn, one of the Welsh rebels, attacked and burnt Caernarfon Castle.