Photos of the Beautiful Medieval Harlech Castle Wales

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Photos of the Beautiful Medieval Harlech Castle fortifications, Wales. An Edward I Castle built in 1282. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.   (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Harlech Castle fortifications, Wales

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Photos of the medieval fortification of Harlech Castle, Wales.

Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle is built on a high spur of rock overlooking the sea plain that run out to the Irish sea. When built the sea came to the foot of the Harlech Castle cliffs so the castle could be provisioned from the sea.

Harlech Castle A State of the Art Castle

Built for Edward I after his invasion of Wales in 1282, Harlech Castle is a fine example of a state of the art medieval castle. The main construction of Harlech Castle was carried out under the direction of James of Saint George, a Savoy architect and military engineer. It took a workforce of 1000 men to build the castle which cost £8190 by the time it was finished in 1289.

Edward I built up massive debts building castles in Wales and between 1277 and 1304 he spent £80,000 on castle building projects.

In 1468 during the wars of the Roses, Harlech Castle was the last major stronghold under Lancastrian control. The castle was eventually put under siege and the garrison held out for a month the surrendered. This event was the inspiration for the patriotic Welsh song, “men of Harlech”.

The Fall of Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle was never repaired after the 1468 siege. When the English Civil War stared it was quickly as a Royalist stronghold. from It came under siege by Parliamentary forces between June 1646 until 15 March 1647. The 44 man garrison surrendered and because the castle was of no use to the Parliamentary forces it was slighted or render unfit for use.

Harlech Castle became a picturesque ruin depicted in the paintings of great artists like Paul Sandby, J. M. W. Turner and John Varley.

Harlech Castle is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the other Welsh Castles of Edward I. They are collectively considered to be one of “the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe” by UNESCO.