Harlech Castle
Gwynedd, Wales (7 castles)
Edward I / Concentric / Cliff-top / Royal castle
Excellent remains
Only open at certain times
Built on top of a 200 foot high outcrop of rock overlooking the Tremadoc Bay. Along with Caernarvon Castle one of the best castles to visit in Wales.
The castle was captured by the Welsh as part of the revolt of Owain Glyndwr in 1404. Owain then used the castle as his base of operations against the English. The English besieged the castle in 1407 and the siege lasted until 1409 when the revolt came to an end.
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Glendowers Revolt (click here)
Edward I and Wales (click here)
Wars of the Roses Phase Two (click here)
Wars of the Roses Phase Three (click here)
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Timeline
1283
March
Edward moved around the Welsh coast to attack and capture the Welsh castle at Criccieth. He then moved on and ordered another castle to be built at Harlech. In the summer of 1283 King Edward provided money to improved the defences at Criccieth Castle. [1]
May
Work began on Harlech Castle. Money for the construction being moved from Cymer Abbey a few miles to the south of the new castle's location.
1404
...
The Welsh captured Harlech Castle and the fortress became the base for Owain Glyndwr's revolt.
1407
The English besiege the Welsh in Harlech Castle.
1409
The Welsh in Harlech Castle surrender to the English and the revolt of Welsh comes to an end. Edmund Mortimer was killed.
1460
Summer
After the Lancastrian defeat at Northampton, Queen Margaret and her son Edward escaped to Wales and the safety of Harlech Castle. [2]
1464
June
William Herbert was given the title of Constable of Harlech Castle by Edward IV and told to capture the castle from the Lancatrians. But the castle was strongly fortified and a lengthy siege began. [3]
1468
July
King Louis XI of France provided Jasper Tudor, the Earl of Pembroke, with three ships and fifty soldiers to invade Wales. The small invasion force planned to gain support against Edward IV and help the Lancastrian garrison trapped at Harlech Castle. The castle was surrounded by the English so Pembroke attacked and occupied Denbigh gaining many supporters. Lord Herbert was dispatched to deal with the threat and defeated Pembroke who managed to escape.
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