Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle
#harlech #harlechcastle #edwardi
Harlech Castle (Welsh: Castell Harlech) in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is a Grade I listed medieval fortification built onto a rocky knoll close to the Irish Sea. It was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289 at the relatively modest cost of £8,190. Over the next few centuries, the castle played an important part in several wars, withstanding the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn between 1294 and 1295, but falling to Prince Owain Glyndŵr in 1404. It then became Glyndŵr's residence and military headquarters for the remainder of the uprising until being recaptured by English forces in 1409. During the 15th century Wars of the Roses, Harlech was held by the Lancastrians for seven years, before Yorkist troops forced its surrender in 1468, a siege memorialised in the song "Men of Harlech". Following the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, the castle was held by forces loyal to Charles I, holding out until 1647 when it became the last fortification to surrender to the Parliamentary armies. In the 21st century the ruined castle is managed by Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, as a tourist attraction.
UNESCO considers Harlech, with three others at Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, to be one of "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe", and it is classed as a World Heritage Site. The fortification is built of local stone and concentric in design, featuring a massive gatehouse that probably once provided high-status accommodation for the castle constable and visiting dignitaries. The sea originally came much closer to Harlech than in modern times, and a water-gate and a long flight of steps leads down from the castle to the former shore, which allowed the castle to be resupplied by sea during sieges. In keeping with Edward's other castles in the north of Wales, the architecture of Harlech has close links to that found in the County of Savoy during the same period, an influence probably derived from the Savoy origins of the main architect, James of Saint George.
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[@kellyreckinger7764]

Amazing castle and view too I am from Michigan USA I never going to Europe and appreciate your time to show us the world and I love Europe history make my day better 😊

[@Tudor_Travels]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for tagging along 👍

[@streaming1950]

You looked quite regal sitting on the throne and the long range view of the castle was stunning. I know the rain may have dampened your spirits, but the gray skies actually did make it look "formidable and invincible." Truly majestic. Thank you!

[@Tudor_Travels]

King Tudor - I like that 🤣

[@kenijonesESQ]

Great tour thanks. Cheers from P.E.I. Canada

[@Tudor_Travels]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-sy3rs6ki1q]

You need to do a tour of Roman Folkestone. Jocks pitch, caesars camp. Sure there is much more. Also a walking video across the downs/sugar loaf/paddlesworth would be nice. The duchess orders it squire 😂

[@Tudor_Travels]

As a humble servant of Your Grace, I shall set about making it happen. *bows courteously as he leaves the room backwards*

[@user-sy3rs6ki1q]

@@Tudor_Travels go forth jester. I’m sure that there is a WW2 pilot pub in paddlesworth. Cat and custard pot is it’s name I believe.

[@magnuslauglo5356]

I'm trying to get a sense of the size of this. Is the inner wall/ward at Harlech more or less similar in size to Bodiam Castle?

[@Tudor_Travels]

They do look about the same but having visited both I’d say the inner structure of Bodiam is larger whilst the height of Harlech is bigger - if that makes sense? Stands taller.

[@magnuslauglo5356]

@Tudor_Travels, you're saying that Bodiam has a larger footprint than Harlech's inner ward, but that Harlech is taller. Thank you, that's helpful. I went to Bodiam once but it was closed so I was only able to walk around the outside. These places are huge but when you think about how many people would have worked there and lived in proximity to one another, it seems to me that even the Lord of the castle and their families would have had quite a modest amount of living space compared to a modern middle class family. The outer ward at Harlech is so narrow, to trap attackers between the walls. I wonder to what extent it was filled with buildings and storage and people and animals, or whether it was kept as sparse as possible. I'm assuming they kept it as clear as possibly during a siege or times of crisis.

[@Tudor_Travels]

Footprint. That’s a good way of putting it. When we visit these historic buildings it’s easy to think they were sparsely populated but I think the truth is they were not. They would have been packed with people and traders and soldiers.