The Ring of Iron - Pt.2 - Beaumaris Castle, Wales

Day 2 of my 3 day car camping castle adventure to North Wales to explore six of the castles that form part of the Ring of Iron.
Beginning in 1277, King Edward I of England (1271-1307) - also nicknamed “Longshanks” and “the Hammer of the Scots”- launched a fearsome military campaign to subdue the powerful Welsh princes. To ensure military security he funded the construction of a series of formidable fortresses throughout northern Wales known as the “The Ring of Iron.” These were to control the native Welsh population, particularly in Gwynedd, which had been the main focus of resistance to the English crown for centuries.
James of St George is credited as the architect who masterminded and supervised the works of these castles. He was brought from France where he had been the master mason for the counts of Savoy.
At Beaumaris work began in 1295 following the Madog ap Llywelyn uprising. A substantial workforce was employed in the initial years under the direction of James of St George. Edward's invasion of Scotland soon diverted funding from the project, however, and work stopped, only recommencing after an invasion scare in 1306. When work finally ceased around 1330 a total of £15,000 had been spent, a huge sum for the period, but the castle remained incomplete.
For more information:
cadw.gov.wales...
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
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