Caernarfon

#147 Castell Caernarfon
Gwynedd, Wales
1283-1323
This is NOT an official Lego site

Caernarfon Castle is without a doubt one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in the world. It began as a motte and bailey castle in the late 11th century, built by Anglo-Norman Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester. The circular motte was located where the Queen's Gate now stands, with the bailey likely extending to the north-east. A town grew north-west of the castle, toward the Menai Strait. By 1115 Gwynedd was back in the hands of the native Welsh lords and remained so for the next 165 years, when the Welsh, tired of English law, launched a war of independence. Edward I responded with a war of conquest which lasted until the death of Llywelyn the Last in 1277 and Dafydd was executed in 1283.

The Welsh were by no means completely subdued however, and Edward I undertook to greatly strengthen his castles in north Wales, including the newly acquired Caernarfon, the traditional administrative center of north-west Wales. Edward hired the famed James of St. George to design the castle and the walls around the town. Construction proceeded with great vigour for the next 11 years, with the imposing south face of the castle virtually complete, but just a wide grassy moat and wooden stockade separating the north side of the castle from the newly walled town. In 1294 Madog ap Llywelyn staged a highly successful raid on Caernarfon, destroying parts of the town wall, sacking the town and burning everything flammable in the castle.

The following summer, Edward's vigorous reaction resulted in the recapture of Caernarfon, and the king not only set about repairing the town walls, but erecting stone walls and towers on the north face of the castle to rival those of the south side. The fortress withstood sieges by Owain Glyndŵr and his French allies in 1403-4, and three more sieges by the Parliamentarian Major-General Mytton before being captured in 1646. In 1660 the English government ordered the demolition of Caernarfon, but fortunately the order was by and large ignored, and one of the world's most beautiful castles is preserved for the enjoyment of all. The investitures of Edward [later Edward VII] in 1911 and Charles in 1969 as Princes of Wales took place in Caernarfon.

Photos of the Lego Model under construction March 2105 This huge project, like my recent model of Rhuddlan Castle, was photographed from beginning to end, so the talented Jamie Robins of Equinox Communications in Cardiff, Wales could produce a time-lapse video. It came out on June 17 and is on YouTube here.

The castle is laid out on March 9, the model to be 9 1/2 feet long.	After 2 weeks of work, five of the six sections are built up to the courtyard level. This view is from the southwest.	Built atop the old motte, the Queen's Gate/NE Tower section is saved for last.	The northwest view confirms that the Water Gate, which no longer exists, may need to be redone.


Only the Eagle Tower [above right] and Well Tower [foreground] have basements, both leading to postern (and supply) gates	The King's Gate was never completed, but my model attempts to show it as it would have looked.	I took a break from filming on March 30 to take a trio of pictures.	The view from the NW shows the Water Gate before it was completely rebuilt.


And there has been immense progress on the difficult Queen's Gate and Cistern, Watch and NE Towers.	Here are a quartet of pictures taken on April 14, with the Eagle and Queen's Towers in the foreground here.	The Water Gate has been modeled after the Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London.	Try to ignore the red dragon in the middle courtyard. You'll soon watch it fly in the video.


We finally have a door and drawbridge in the lofty Queen's Gate at the east end of the castle.	On April 24 progress has been made on the Eagle and Queen's Towers...	...as well as the King's Gate and Well Tower.	The Queen's Gate and nearby towers seem about as they were, but not for long!


On April 30, 4 days before our trip to actually visit the castle, the Queen's Tower has a roof.	There has been major progress on the Eagle and Well Towers...	...and another story added to the Northeast Tower.	It is the Queen's Gate, however, which is quickly becoming a powerful deterrent to attack.


Work resumes on May 28, and by June 8 tall turrets can be seen on the Queen's and other towers.	The King's Gate is also complete and the Granary and Well Towers are battlemented.	The NE and Watch Towers are complete, as is the Queen's Gate...	...all in the nick of time with Brickworld Chicago just 10 days away!


The castle is finally completed on June 13.	The Eagle Tower is decorated with dark gray parrots in lieu of an eagle by Lego Group.	The ease of delivery of supplies via the water gate and Well Tower can easily be appreciated in this view from the northwest.	The north side of the castle faces the walled town of Caernarfon with the main entrance through the King's Gate in the middle [see more below].


Here is the view of the castle from the NNE.	The great length of the castle can be fully enjoyed looking over the tiny Watch Tower	The other entrance to the upper ward is via a long ramp [which no longer exists] through the Queen's Gate.	The King's Gate is the main entrance to both the lower and upper wards.


The gatehouse was never completed, but helpful advice from Bill Zajac of Cadw allowed an attempt...	...to show the octagonal room which would have directed visitors into either ward or trapped enemies.	The lower ward unusually contains what would be the keep in most castles.	The lower ward also contains the Great Hall, kitchen and Well Tower.


Here is a view of the lower ward from the vicinity of the Eagle Tower.	The view as one enters the upper ward is of the Northeast Tower and Queen's Gate. both on the edge of the old motte.	It is unclear if the two embattled residential ranges were ever built. Just windows with seats and arrow slits remain.


Model of town and castle	Investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales 1969	Illustration of attack by Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294


Ground Plan from Guidebook	Another Ground Plan	Cross-section through Courtyard looking South

Build Your Own I'll probably not attempt to scan the plan and elevations as they so large...

Lego Plan?


Elevation?	Elevation?