The Ring of Iron - Pt.1 - Flint, Rhuddlan & Conwy Castles, Wales

Day 1 of my 3 day car camping castle adventure to North Wales to explore six of the castles that form part of the Ring of Iron.

Beginning in 1277, King Edward I of England (1271-1307) - also nicknamed “Longshanks” and “the Hammer of the Scots”- launched a fearsome military campaign to subdue the powerful Welsh princes. To ensure military security he funded the construction of a series of formidable fortresses throughout northern Wales known as the “The Ring of Iron.” These were to control the native Welsh population, particularly in Gwynedd, which had been the main focus of resistance to the English crown for centuries.

James of St George is credited as the architect who masterminded and supervised the works of these castles. He was brought from France where he had been the master mason for the counts of Savoy.

Flint Castle was the first of the series of castles started in 1277 built during King Edward I's campaign to conquer Wales which would become known as the Ring of Iron.

Rhuddlan Castle was built from 1277 and completed by 1282, was built concurrently with Flint Castle, at a time when King Edward I of England was consolidating his conquest of Wales. It was temporarily his residence, and his daughter, Elizabeth, is presumed to have been born there.

Conwy Castle was built between 1283 and 1287. Constructed as part of a wider project to create the walled town of Conwy, the combined defences cost around £15,000, a massive sum for the period. Over the next few centuries, the castle played an important part in several wars. It withstood the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn in the winter of 1294–95, acted as a temporary haven for Richard II in 1399 and was held for several months by forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr in 1401.

For more information:
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-t...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_C...
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-t...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhuddla...
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-t...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conwy_C...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of...

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