Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle
Wales


GROUP ..... Myself



HISTORY OF HARLECH CASTLE
Harlech is one of the group of castles built by King Edward 1st of England during his campaign to rule North Wales. There were fourteen castles built together ...
FLINT ...................... building work began in 1277
RHUDDLAN ............ building work began in 1277
RUTHIN .................. building work began in 1277
HOPE ....................... building work began in 1277
BUILTH .................. building work began in 1277
ABERYSTWYTH .... building work began in 1277
CONWY ................... building work began in 1283
HARLECH ............... building work began in 1283
CAERNARFON ....... building work began in 1283
DENBIGH ................ building work began in 1284
HAWARDEN ........... building work began in 1284
HOLT ....................... building work began in 1284
CHIRK ...................... building work began in 1284
BEAUMARIS .......... building work began in 1295

Harlech was designed by Master James of St George (he designed Beamaris as well). After it was built, Master James was appointed Constable of Harlech Castle (which he held for three years). The castle took seven years to build and cost £8,190 to build (in 2009 this worked out as £88 million).




This site probably had a Welsh fortress on it before the English invaded, perhapes as far back as the Iron Age. The first fortress is said to have been built by Maelgwn Gwynedd during the 6th century. During the 11th century, the fortress was known as Caer Collwyn. Collwyn ap Tango (who lived here during the 9th century), lived in a square tower in the fortress. Remains of this can still be seen today, as some, if not all, of its walls were used as the base of todays building.

In 1294, Madoc ap Llywelyn, began an uprising against the English. He lay seige to the castle that winter but he gave up by the following spring.

In 1404, Owain Glyndwr lay seige upon the castle and finally won. He made it his home and his headquarters.








In 1409, Prince Henry (later Henry V) and a force of 1000 men lead by John Talbot, took back the castle after an eight month siege. After the siege, Owain's wife, Margaret Hanmer, two of his daughters and four grandchildren were captured and later imprisoned and died.

During the Wars of the Roses (1461 - 1470), Harlech was a Lancastrian stronghold. In 1468, Harlech was the last Lancastrian fortress to surrender after a seven year siege. It was the longest known siege in British history.

Harlech was the last Royalist fortress to hold out against the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War. Its surrender took place on 16th March 1647, over a year after King Charles had been captured.

The castle is now looked after by CADW.









PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

There is no recorded activity in the castle that I can find, but if anyone knows of any tales, please let me know.



As with any building of this age, it is so easy to imagine the beauty and the harshness of everyday life for people living on this site. Not only for the people connected with Harlech Castle but the Welsh fortress that stood on this land first.

We have births and deaths associated here. Bloody battles and long sieges, then a period of peace, only to start all over again.

Personnaly I can imagine ghostly battles, ghostly feasts and celebrations and at least a couple of wondering lost souls.

Walking around this building, your imagination can work on overload, esp at dusk



MORE PHOTOS OF THE CASTLE