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Key Information

Caernarfon Castle

Type Castle
Construction 1283 to 1320 CE
Builder James of St George (for Edward I)
Made From Stone

Learning Point

  • Caernarfon Castle was built by Edward I to help fortify important areas of North Wales after he conquered them. The castle was built to be able to withstand sieges, and was designed in a way that would have intimidated the local Welsh people. It was built in stages, and was one of the most expensive castles of the time, or in the next few centuries.

Project

  • Draw a picture of Caernarfon Castle from when it was first built.
  • Overview
  • Plan
Caernarfon Castle
By Herbert Ortner – Own image, scan from slide, CC BY 4.0, Link
Plan of Caenarfon Castle
By Cadw – http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/docs/cadw/publications/WHS_additional_maps_plans_EN.pdf, OGL v1.0, Link

Location

Located in Caernarfon, Wales, United Kingdom

Fun Facts

  • It was more expensive in its construction than Dover Castle and Château Gaillard built more than a century later.
  • The design of the walls was similar to Byzantium.
  • The castle has arrow loops built into its walls that would allow multiple archers to fire from within the safety of the wall.
  • It is now used as the coronation location of the Prince of Wales.

Past Lessons

3 June 20, 2024 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons