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Beaumaris Castle
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This is a picture of Beaumaris Castle from the country view.
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The construction of the Beaumaris Castle was begun in 1295. This castle was the last and largest of the castles that were built by King Edward I in Wales. This castle is so impessive that it is possibly the most sophisticated example of medieval military architecture in Great Britain.
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The castle was built with an almost geometric symmetry. The higher ring of defenses is surrounded by a lower outer circuit of walls, combining an very high level of strength and firepower. Any attacker would be face with a surely impenitrable fortress, that is for that time anyways. The castle was begun on a "fair marsh" and was given the Norman name Beau Mareys. With the Builder being once again, Master James of St. George. The progress of the building was very fast, with some 2,600 men engaged in the work during the first year. When the castle was completed it was huge, just the center ward covered about 3/4 fo an acre, which was then surrounded by a further six towers and the two great gatehouses.
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This is an example of the lower outer circuit of walls.
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This is a bird's eye view of Beaumaris Castle.
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The defense of this castle is very impressive. The first line of defense was provided by a water filled moat, which was about 18 feet wide. At the southern end was a tidal dock for shipping, where huge vessels could sail right up to the main gate. The dock was protected by a shooting deck. Across the moat was the low wall of the outer ward. It had about 16 towers and two gates. On the north side the wall was filled with "murder holes." Once through here, if the attacker made it that far. The attacker would still have to go through 11 more obstacles before entering the heart of the castle. And of course there were the necessities of the castle. These were all located around the edges of the ward, these included a hall, kitchens, stables, all the barracks, and even a granary.
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