Edward Builds Castles

Edward I 1272-1307

The Normans had not tried to take over Wales. William had given three lords called the Marcher lords land along the border of England and Wales (the counties of Hereford, Gloucestershire and Shropshire) to make sure that peace was kept.

Llewellyn's real support was from around Caernarvon and Anglesey

By 1200 a strong Welsh leader called Llewellyn ap Gruffydd had risen to power. He led many Welsh men to try and seize this land of the Marcher lords.

Edward, who was a fierce King was not prepared to sit back and allow such behaviour to go unpunished.  In 1276 Llewellyn refused to do homage (give his loyalty) to Edward. Edward sent hi men in. The Welsh were forced into the mountainous area around Snowdon. They had to eventually surrender.

Llewellyn was surrounded and forced to suurender

Edward allowed Llewllyn to go free. Once free, he again said he would not be loyal to Edward. This time he was captured and killed on Anglesey.

Now Edward had to keep control and maintain peace. How was he going to do it?

Well he decided that being too harsh was not the answer.

He allowed the Welsh to keep their own language.

He brought in English laws but allowed many Welsh customs to remain.

He had several castles built such as Caernarvon, Harlech, Conwy (he had them built on the coast, if there was another war they would be easily supplied from the sea).

Above are Harech, Caefilli and Caernarvon castles. The first seven built cost over 13,500 pounds (over 150 million by today's prices)

He made his eldest son Prince of Wales to show that he cared for this part of the Kingdom. Every eldest son of Kings or Queens from then on are made Prince of Wales.

Edward was unable to gain the harmony that he wanted with the Welsh and didn't even try with the Scots who he used brutal force against.