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During April 1295, English monarch King Edward 1st arrived in the thriving market town of Llanfaes. The town's people had been great supporters of Madogs rebellion against Edward in 1294, and so to exact his revenge, he ordered the destruction of the town and its manor and removed all privileges that it's people had previously been awarded. Many believed that Edward would choose the site of the destroyed manor as the new location for his castle, but after a number of week's deliberation a nearby area of previous marsh land known as Beaumaris (Beau Maris - Beautiful marsh) was decided upon. The people of Llanfaes were forcibly re-located to a village on the south-west of the island, then called Rhosyr, but now known as Newborough.
Work began in 1295, Beaumaris castle was one of Edward's 'iron ring' of castles built to stamp his authority upon the people of Wales. It was also the largest and last castle that he would build.Designed by Edward's military architect James of St. George, it was the biggest and most ambitious project he ever undertook.Considered to be state of the art in the thirteenth century, the castle was built with a perfectly symmetrical concentric 'walls within walls' design. Fourteen separate major obstacles were incorporated into the design for any would be attackers to overcome, including hundreds of cleverly positioned arrow slits, and the use of deadly murder holes to defend entrances.
The castle is positioned in a beautifully scenic location close to the dividing stretch of water between the island and the mainland, the Menai Straits, and has stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Partially surrounded by a water filled moat, supply boats were once allowed to sail directly up to the castle through the 'gate next to the sea entrance' which protected the tidal dock.In 1298 the building of the castle was abandoned when it was decided that there was no need to defend the area of the Menai Straits which it was being built to protect. The un-finished castle then became the administrative and legal center of the island, being used as a prison for most of it's active life, and for this reason maintaining it's garrison.
Beaumaris castle has since played it's part in a number of historical events. During Owain Glyn Dwr's war against colonial towns and castles, it was captured by Welsh forces along with Edward's other castles, Conwy, Harlech and Criccieth (which was destroyed). The castle also makes a brief appearance in the history of the Civil war, when the Bulkeley's, Anglesey's leading family, held the castle for the King before surrendering it to the Parliamentary army in 1646.
Beaumaris castle has now been classified as a World Heritage Site, and is open to visitors from 9.30am - 5.oopm, closing for the Christmas holidays.
Nearby places of interest are Penmon and the Menai suspension bridge.
Visiting Beaumaris Castle? Click here for a map.