The story of Caernarfon Castle does not start in Caernarfon Castle. While originally built from 1283 onwards by Edward I (known as longshanks for his height and hammer of the Scots for his knack of defeating... well the Scots), this set of fortifications represents anything but a break from continuity. A Roman fort had been in the region until 394 AD and a Norman motte and bailey (a small castle built out of wood on a mound of earth) had also been constructed nearby as early as 1093. Now it was the turn of the English (an amalgamation of the Normans and Anglo- Saxons) to try and leave a mark on North Wales that would rule the region for a long time. It succeeded. Wales is now part of England, in part, due to Caernarfon Castle.
The construction of Caernarfon, like many large projects, was never formally finished. Yet, it was somewhat complete by 1330. The cost of materials to built the castle was around 150 pounds, yet the cost of transportation was around three and a half times that. To put this into perspective, 150 pounds would take 75 years for a peasant gain with an average labourer's salary. The cost of transportation was around 263 years. These astonishing quantities of money were poured into Northern Wales due to the fact that Edward I had done a great deal to supress the local principalities in Wales and wished to keep them quiet.
Castles are a reminder of a monarch's power, act as an administrative centre for the local region and generally possess significant offensive and defensive capabilities in the event of war or rebellion.
What was significant about Caernarfon was that it was built out of stone at a time wood made up the majority of the material used to construct fortifications. The castle was essentially future proofed. In 1294 the castle was captured by a Welsh army. While Caernarfon was quickly taken back, the realisation that the fortifications were not enough led to another phase of construction. the King's gate, a large entrance meant to deter attackers, was one of the most significant new features that came out of Caernarfon's renovation.
In many ways, Caernarfon is the epitome of a 14th century castle. Constructed almost entirely out of stone, with smaller towers jutting out of large ones, thick walls enclose a large area (the walls are over 740 metres long) and the gates have been designed to deter any aggressor.
Caernarfon has also been the centre of geopolitical manoeuvring. As Edward I increasingly encroached on, and quickly retained, Welsh lands, many Welshmen became understandingly worried that the English may stay in charge. In order to put aside these worries, using a very medieval like form of cunning, Edward I promised that the next Prince of Wales (the de jure ruler of Wales) would be a Welshman. In order to keep his word, Edward's wife - Elanor of Castile- consequently gave birth among the scaffolding of Caernarfon Castle only one year after it began construction. As the son of Edward I (the future Edward II) was technically a Welshmen as he had been born in Wales, the promise was 'kept'. This did not amuse the Welsh.
For around 200 years afterwards, Caernarfon remained effectively the capital of Northern Wales. It had a significant garrison and therefore enough muscle to keep the Welsh out of administration and the English in charge. Yet, in 1403 and 1404, Caernarfon was besieged with only a garrison of 30. While the man power was pitiful, the castle's defenses were so good that a Welsh army (in conjunction with French attempts to aid the Welsh) could not budge the English. As such, the castle remained firm and so did the English.
By the 1600s, however; it became clear that the castle's strong fortifications were no longer needed. In the English civil war of the 1640s, Caernarfon was put back into use. Unlike castles such as Pontefract castle, which was built upon to include curved walls and fortifications made out of dirt to withstand cannons, Caernarfon was simply not the focus of the war. As such, when Cromwell order the demolition of centuries old castles to consolidate his power as a proto-dictator, Caernarfon was not high on the list to be destroyed. The castle survived.
After the English Civil War, little happened in the castle for a long time. It fell into ruin (although this process was already occurring by the 1620s). In the 19th century, Victorians saw Caernarfon as a castle that fit their romantic ideal of a decaying, yet majestic and glorious, representation of the past. As such, it appears in many water-colour paintings in the period.
In 1969, Prince Charles, now Charles III, was ceremonially made the Prince of Wales in Caernarfon. This was as an attempt to boost tourism in Wales and calm anti-English sentiment which had been on a distinct uptake since 1957 (when a valley in Wales to was flooded to provide water to Liverpool). While perhaps well meant, looking at it today, it seems like very silly ceremony indeed. The entire ceremony, which was supposed to carry the air of being a centuries old practice, was essentially made up to suit modern political and economic interests.
Today Caernarfon is seen as a symbol of English oppression in Wales; a tale of naked imperialism. While the castle is certainly an imperialistic structure, some go as far to claim that the castle showcases the failure of the English to crush the Welsh identity. While the Welsh have certainly kept a distinct identity and nationalism is on the rise, considering that Wales is part of the United Kingdom and, has been part of England for the better part of a thousand years, I think it is safe to say Caernarfon (and by extension the English invasion of Wales) has been highly successful in achieving its aim. The aim? To take Welsh lands and keep it in the hands of the English.
Perhaps I am wrong. I certainly could be. What do you think?
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Wow!! That rebel suppressing device.