located wales medieval fortification constructed atop spur rock close built edward invasion wales substantial cost centuries castle played important wars siege falling residence military headquarters remainder uprising recaptured english forces 15th century wars roses held seven years troops forced surrender siege song following outbreak english civil war castle held forces loyal charles holding fortification surrender parliamentary armies 21st century ruined castle managed historic environment service tourist attraction considers finest examples late 13th century early 14th century military architecture europe classed site fortification built local stone concentric design featuring massive gatehouse probably provided high status accommodation castle constable visiting dignitaries sea originally came closer modern times water gate long flight steps leads castle shore allowed castle sea keeping edward castles architecture close links found period influence probably derived origins main architect history 13th 14th centuries local mythology site castle associated legend welsh princess evidence native welsh fortification having built kings england welsh princes control conflict renewed 13th century leading edward intervening second time reign edward invaded huge army pushing north westwards montgomery chester english forces advanced valley sir took infantry edward ordered construction castle seven built wake campaign money pay initial phase arrived mid dispatched june july commence work winter feet inner walls constructed allowing castle defended event attack small planned town founded alongside castle sir appointed constable castle death wife took role construction continued overall direction architect military engineer height construction workforce comprised general labourers project costing nearly month castle essentially complete end having cost estimated percent edward spent castle building wales established garrison men constable men including chaplain smith carpenter master james rewarded constable began uprising english rule spread quickly wales english held towns razed besieged winter fresh supplies sent ireland sea arriving water gate uprising aftermath revolt additional defences built route sea work undertaken following war threatened region lord family ordered sheriff sir extend defences leading gatehouse additional towers 15th 17th centuries revolt broke english rule led handful castles including stood rebels castle equipped staffed withstand siege garrison having shields helmets pairs gloves guns end castle fell residence family home military headquarters years held second parliament august english forces command future placed commander siege conducting bombardment cannon probably destroying south east parts outer walls failed castle henry left charge siege moved deal supplies finally ran short men died exhaustion fell february 15th century involved series civil wars known wars roses broke rival factions following fled castle held supporters command thanks natural defences supply route sea held fortresses fell eventually major stronghold control castle base operations region planned operations sir mounted attacks landed french reinforcements raiding town arrival caused order army possibly strong finally seize castle month siege small garrison surrendered august siege credited inspiring song broke royalist supporters charles supporters parliament apparently repaired following siege completely dilapidated exception gatehouse local prince appointed local royalist colonel castle constable owen entrusted repairing fortifications long siege ensued june march garrison men surrendered castle mainland royal fortress surrender war date marked end phase war castle longer required security prevent use parliament ordered destruction orders partially carried gatehouse destroyed castle rendered generally totally demolished stone castle reused build houses local town 18th 21st centuries 19th centuries picturesque ruins began attract visits prominent artists including transferred control commenced major restoration project end world war castle transferred manage property 21st century tourist attraction declared castles king edward site considering finest examples late 13th century early 14th century military architecture europe architecture castle rests spur rock feet high land falls away sharply north west ditch cut rock protects remaining approaches castle castle concentric design line defences enclosed forming inner outer ward outer wall originally somewhat taller today built local grey green sandstone large regular blocks towers irregular material possibly taken ditch walls softer yellow sandstone decorative work castle possibly near main entrance castle involved crossing stone bridge easterly ditch bridge towers main gatehouse little remains bridge towers today timber entrance way gatehouse replaces bridge water gate protected steps runs foot cliffs 13th century sea came close allowing resupply sea today sea retreated significantly making difficult concept original setting gatehouse follows design termed style popular 13th century massive shaped defensive towers flanking entrance passage castle guarded heavy doors gatehouse upper floors broken rooms floor large windows overlooking inner ward second floor additional grand windows sides gatehouse gatehouse fitted originally prominent chimneys use rooms subject academic debate historian argued floor gatehouse constable living accommodation second floor senior visitors challenged interpretation suggesting high status accommodation instead located inner ward gatehouse purposes inner ward guarded large circular towers time acquired names clockwise north east called ultra renamed towers respectively incorporated dungeon contained artillery workshop 16th century ranges buildings built inner ward including chapel kitchen service buildings great hall originally built triple similar fashion little remains modern era architecture close links found kingdom period include semi circular door arches window styles towers positioning holes usually ascribed influence architect master james links straightforward cases relevant structures built james left region similarity architectural details result wider role played engineers project
Harlech Castle