October 31, 2020

Why did Edward I build castles in North Wales?

October 31, 2020/ Caernarfon Castle/ John Bird

Why did Edward I build so many “state of the art” castles in northern Wales? Dr Sam Willis has described Edward I as,” the greatest castle building king this country has ever seen”. He went on to say, "his castles were his Arthurian Camelot, a tool to conquer and then recolonise". Dan Jones has commented, "every Plantagenet king with exception of Richard I has come to Wales and all departed having barely left a footprint. Edward I ended that trend emphatically".

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We are John and Loretta - two teachers who have spent a lifetime visiting historical places in the UK and abroad on holidays, school trips and any time we’ve had spare.

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Why did Edward I build castles in North Wales?

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