castle welsh english medieval fortification north coast wales built edward conquest wales constructed wider project create walled town combined defences cost huge sum period centuries castle played important wars siege winter acted temporary haven held months forces loyal following outbreak english civil war castle held forces loyal charles holding surrendered parliamentary armies aftermath castle partially parliament prevent revolt finally completely ruined remaining iron lead stripped sold attractive destination painters late 18th early 19th centuries visitor numbers grew initial restoration work carried second half 19th century 21st century ruined castle managed tourist attraction considers finest examples late 13th century early 14th century military architecture europe classed site rectangular castle built local imported stone occupies coastal ridge originally overlooking important crossing point divided inner outer ward defended large towers gate leading river allowing castle sea retains earliest surviving stone britain historian described best preserved suite medieval private royal chambers england wales keeping castles architecture close links found kingdom period influence probably derived origins main architect history 13th century english built town site occupied monastery favoured welsh princes location controlled important crossing point coastal inland areas years defended kings england welsh princes control region conflict resumed 13th century leading edward intervening second time reign edward invaded huge army pushing north westwards montgomery chester edward captured march decided location form centre new county relocate abbey miles valley new site establishing build new english castle walled town monastery site ruined castle abandoned rebuilt edward plan colonial enterprise placing new town walls high status native welsh site symbolic act demonstrate english power work began cutting ditch castle days edward decision work controlled sir overseen master mason james george phase work focused creating exterior curtain walls towers second phase interior buildings erected work began walls neighbouring town castle complete builders recruited huge numbers labourers england task summer building season labourers chester walked wales edward separate costs town walls castle total cost projects came huge sum period castle constable royal charter mayor new town oversaw castle garrison soldiers including supported carpenter chaplain engineer rebelled english rule edward besieged welsh december january supplied sea forces arrived relieve february suggested given conditions edward refused drink private supply wine instead shared garrison years castle formed main residence visiting senior figures hosted edward son future visited region receive homage welsh leaders 14th 15th centuries maintained early 14th century survey reported poorly equipped limited stores suffering leaking roofs rotten problems persisted edward black prince took control castle sir chamberlain conducted repairs building new stone support arches great hall parts castle death black prince fell neglect end 14th century castle refuge forces rival august returning ireland richard way castle met negotiations swore chapel harm king august richard surrendered flint castle promising life spared king taken london died later captivity castle took english throne rule rebellion broke shortly leadership march brother cousins undertook surprise attack castle pretending repairing castle gained entry killed duty took control fortress welsh rebels attacked captured rest walled town brothers held months negotiating surrender agreement pair given royal pardon henry war roses fought rival factions reinforced played little fighting henry_viii conducted restoration work time castle prison depot potential residence visitors 17th 21st centuries fell disrepair early 17th century charles sold edward son called edward inherited ruin english civil war broke charles royalist supporters parliament archbishop york took charge castle behalf king set repairing expense sir appointed governor castle instead leading bitter dispute men archbishop defected parliament town fell august november general finally took castle substantial siege aftermath siege colonel appointed governor castle fresh repairs carried appointed parliament ordered castle military use tower probably deliberately partially pulled time restoration charles_ii conway returned years later edward decided strip remaining iron lead castle sell work completed supervision despite opposition leading citizens turned castle total ruin end 18th century ruins considered picturesque sublime attracting visitors artists paintings castle bridges built river linking town 19th century including road bridge rail bridge improved communication links castle increased tourist numbers passed holland family leased descendants civic leadership town restoration work ruins began including reconstruction damaged tower castle leased undertook wide range repairs extensive research castle history additional road bridge built castle protected scheduled monument declared castles king edward 21st century castle managed tourist attraction tourists visited castle new visitor centre opened castle requires ongoing maintenance repairs cost financial year architecture considers finest examples late 13th century early 14th century military architecture europe rocky coastal ridge grey limestone stone castle largely taken ridge probably site cleared local stone sufficient quality carving details windows accordingly sandstone brought peninsula sandstone colourful local grey stone probably deliberately chosen appearance castle rectangular plan divided inner separated cross wall large foot tall towers originally castle white washed lime render outside towers holes original construction inserted create ramp builders somewhat decayed originally sported triple designs featured sequence square holes running outside walls uncertain holes drainage holes supports defensive displaying ornamental shields main entrance castle western exterior defence main gate built reached masonry ramp came sharply town modern path cuts east outside walls features earliest surviving stone britain gate originally protected gate leads built administrative service buildings north west tower reached porter lodge contained limited accommodation space stores south west tower castle constable castle garrison contained south ward range buildings included great hall chapel sitting exposed surviving stone arches seen great hall tower constable prisoners included special room holding prisoners called chamber 16th century underground dungeon north ward range service buildings including kitchen backed kitchen tower containing accommodation store rooms originally separated outer ward internal wall gate protected ditch cut rock ditch filled 16th century removed spring fed castle built alongside gate survives today foot deep inside ward contained chambers royal household immediate staff service facilities today historian considers best preserved suite medieval private royal chambers england wales designed form royal palace miniature necessary sealed rest castle supplied eastern gate sea indefinitely practice rarely royal family royal rooms positioned floor range buildings ran outside ward facing courtyard towers protected contained service facilities chapel tower containing private royal chapel tower additional turret probably intended security allow prominent display royal flag arrangement originally similar 13th century castle provided combination privacy king providing extensive personal security sets apartments later unified single set rooms including great chamber outer chamber inner chamber east castle garden overlooked royal apartments changed style years early 14th century lawn late 14th century 16th century crab apple trees lawn 17th century formal ornamental flowers gate originally led river small dock built allowing key visitors enter castle private fortress boat gate concealed later bridges built site architecture close links found kingdom period include window styles type 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
Conwy Castle