Gone Medieval - How to Build a Castle

Episode Date: October 11, 2024

Castles in Medieval Britain didn't just serve a military purpose, they were central to the social and cultural life of society. In the second episode of Gone Medieval's special series telling the story of castles, Matt Lewis looks at how castles were built by turning the spotlight on Conwy Castle in North Wales. Built as part of Edward I's campaign to consolidate his control over Wales, Conwy's unique construction and architectural innovations had an enduring influence on castle design across the whole of Europe.Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. The producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Listen to the first episode in this series, The Rise of British Castles, here >Matt Lewis's video series Castles That Made Britain is available to watch on History Hit. Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original TV documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up HERE for 50% off your first 3 months using code ‘MEDIEVAL’ You can take part in our listener survey here > Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From long-loss Viking ships and kings buried in unexpected places to tales of murder, power, faith, and the lives of ordinary people across medieval Europe and beyond. Join me, Matt Lewis, Dr. Eleanor Jarniger, and some of the world's leading historians as we bring history's most fascinating stories to life only on history hit. With your subscription, you'll unlock hundreds of hours of exclusive documentaries with a brand new release every week exploring everything from the ancient world,

to World War II. Just visit historyhit.com forward slash subscribe. Hello, I'm Matt Lewis. Welcome to Gone Medieval from History Hit, the podcast that delves into the greatest millennium in human history. We've got the most intriguing mysteries, the gobsmacking details and latest groundbreaking research from the Vikings to the printing press, from kings to popes to the crusades. We cross centuries and continents to delve into rebellions, plots and murders to find the stories big and small that tell us how we got here. Find out who we really were with Gone Medieval. In the political and cultural landscape of medieval Europe,

castles didn't just serve a military purpose. They became central to the life of society. In this special series of Gone Medieval episodes, Eleanor and myself are ranging across Britain and Ireland to tell you the story of castles, how they were built and put to use, and what they represented as symbols of authority, places where military necessity intersected with the assertion of power. In the first episode of the series, Eleanor ventured to Dover to find out what this iconic building can tell us about the origins and purpose of a castle.

Do have a listen if you haven't already. Today, though, I'm exploring Conway Castle, built as part of Edward I's campaign to consolidate his control over Wales, after conquering that region. But aside from its symbolic significance, it's Conwy Castle's unique construction and architectural innovations

that meant it had an enduring influence on castle design across the whole of Europe. Let's start by heading back to the late 13th century when the rugged and defiant landscape of Wales became the stage for a dramatic clash between the Welsh princes and the English king. King Edward I was determined to extend his dominion over the Welsh territories, which had for a long time resisted English control.

Starting in 1777, he leveraged a mix of feudal alliances with discontented Welsh rulers to launch a formidable invasion into North Wales. Edward's primary target was Hlewelyn-Ap-Griffith, known as Llewellyn the Last. Despite his previous recognition as the Prince of Wales by Edward's father, Llewellyn found himself isolated, as many Welsh leaders, weary of his dominance, sided with the English. Edward's forces, numbering more than 15,000 men and supported by naval fleets, advanced with precision. Their campaign was swift and decisive. Recognising the futility of resistance,

Schlewellyn surrendered without a major battle. In November, 277, the Treaty of Aber Conwy left Hlellan with only a fraction of his former territories and significantly weakened his power. But the peace was to be short-lived. Within five years, a renewed sense of Welsh nationalism spurred by Lleyn's brother Dapheth ignited a rebellion. Edward the first response was even more aggressive. The conflict was brutal and unrelenting.

Flewellyn was killed at the Battle of Irfan Bridge and Dapheth kept up the resistance until his capture and execution in 1883. So ended the native Welsh princely line. In 1284, the statute of Rutherland formerly annexed Wales into the English Crown. replacing Welsh laws with English ones and establishing a new administrative structure. Edward I named his fourth son by then the oldest surviving Edward of Canafin as Prince of Wales and we still have one of those as heir to the throne today. Edward I's conquest of Wales was a turning point that marked the end of Welsh independence

and the beginning of a new era under English. English rule. It was a testament to Edward's military prowess and strategic acumen, but it also sowed seeds of resentment and rebellion that would simmer for generations. But Edward's victory wasn't just military, it was also architectural. He embarked on an ambitious castle-building program, erecting some of the most formidable fortresses in Europe at Canafen, Conwy and Harlech. These castles were not only military bastions, but also symbols of English authority designed to intimidate and control the Welsh population. Conway is a testament to medieval military architecture. Built between 1283 and 1292, it's positioned strategically on a rock promontory which enhanced its defensive

capabilities. Its robust construction and location allowed it to withstand sieges and serve as a secure residence for English royalty, though only three monarchs ever stayed there. We can tell that Conwy was designed to be more palace than fortress by the lack of a keep. If you visit Conwy today, you'll notice the striking absence of the hulking mass in the middle of the castle that would be the final line of defence. Conwy Castle formed part of a larger fortified town, with standing. stone walls and towers that extended protection to the surrounding area. The town walls, with its impressive towers and defensive features, mirrored the castle's strength

and served as a physical reminder of the new order imposed by Edward I. The integration of a walled town with a castle was all part of Edward's colonial strategy to assert his control over Wales. This wasn't just the planting of a castle, an entire English town sprouted up in North Wales to dominate the region. The Welsh were driven out and only the English were allowed to live within the walls of Conwy. And for this building project, Edward brought him one of Europe's most celebrated master masons and architects, a man named James of St George. Around 1230, James of St George seems to have hailed from Samprey, where his father, John, was also an

architect and Mason. James's architectural style shows similarities to that of his father's work, such as the rose windows at Lausanne Cathedral. When King Edward I decided to implement his ambitious castle building programme in Wales, he summoned James of St George from the continent. His work was was characterized by an innovative use of concentric designs, where a series of nested walls and towers provided formidable lines of defence. This approach eliminated the traditional central keep, opting instead for large wall towers that could serve a similar purpose. His designs, which included non-aligned gates to expose attackers to defensive fire,

had set a new standard in military architecture. James's skills were highly valued by Edward I, who paid him a substantial wage. He was appointed Master of the Royal Works in Wales, around 1285, overseeing all aspects of castle construction at Conway, Canarfon and Harlech. He deployed a large workforce drawn from across England to realise his vision for architectural innovation and strategic military thinking. The work on Beaumaris Castle begun in 1295 is often cited as James' most perfectly conceived project, although it remained unfinished at his death in 1309.

But he was to leave a lasting legacy in the form of some of the most iconic castles in Wales. When we visited Conway to make a documentary about the castle, I was joined by Ashley Batten, who looks after the castle and other monuments in Wales for Caddo. As we stood on the windy battlements, Ashley explained why the castle was built there and the innovations James of St George brought from the continent. James St George and John Francis, they arrive here together, they come from southern France and they are part of the court of Philip of Savoy and he is a cousin of Edward I. So Edward I finds out about the superb castles that have been constructed there

and he employs the master mason and architect of those castles. to come and help with the Edwardian conquest of North Wales. It's quite a busy area. We're obviously strategically on the estuary, and so there's lots of stuff happening here. We've got a Cistercian Abbey on the side of Conway itself, but on the other side of the Conway estuary, we've got Degangri Castle,

which would have sat between those two rocky outcrops on the other side there, and that was a native Welsh castle, a castle of the Welsh princes, and it had stood five, six hundred years prior to the Edwardian conquest, but was levelled by Edwardian the first when they first arrived. Design elements at castles across Wales show this Savoyard style, so it isn't just Edward I putting his stamp on Wales.

It's James of St George and his design team too. More evidence of his influence can be seen in surviving clues that show how the round towers were built, and Ashley is going to show me how to spot them here at Conway. These are puttlog holes, and they are literally to put your log in. They are a piece of wood would have gone in here. in this one up here. And the reason these are so important is because of the pattern

helicoidal style of scaffolding, which is very much indicative of French architecture. These put-log holes are a tangible connection to the way this castle was constructed. James used a French method of winding scaffolding around the tower. What would English scaffolding have looked like? Was that square? It was, yes, it was a sort of rectilinear pattern around the outside,

which is just a different choice really. So this really does show that Savoy builders are on the side. James is here making this decision. This is how we're going to build this tower. I'm always amazed they don't fill in these holes. Well, if you think about the amount of maintenance that's involved in a structure like this, all of these walls being whitewashed, re-pointing, all that sort of thing, it's important to keep them in place as long as you can, really.

Unlike many other castles of the time, Conway was built in a single phase, which was unusual for such a large fortification, showcasing advanced military technology for its era. So what makes Conway's design so unique? Firstly, unlike many of Edward I's other castles, which featured concentric designs with multiple layers of defensive walls, Conway was built with a single wall reinforced by massive towers. This design was dictated by the natural landscape,

which included a rocky outcrop providing a strong foundation. The castle's design included eight massive circular towers, which weren't common for a castle of its size, providing formidable fields of fire and making sieges nearly impossible. Its layout featured two adjoining wards that could be defended independently, with the Western Ward housing the Great Hall and the Eastern Ward containing the King's Apart. The castle is situated on a coastal ridge, utilising the natural defences provided by the River Conwy.

This location allowed the castle to control an important crossing point and to be resupplied from the sea, making it highly defensible. That rock outcrop also made it impossible to undermine Conwy Castle. The site included multiple advanced defensive features for its time, such as Barbicans, a triple set of of doors and portcullises at the main gate and steep stairs leading to the drawbridge. These elements were designed to repel invaders effectively. The castle features the earliest surviving stone machinations in Britain, which were used for dropping stones or other materials onto attackers from above the gates. The barbicans were designed to be lower than the main wall, which allowed defenders to use arrows or poor boiling substances on attackers. This strategic design enhanced

the castle's defensive capabilities by providing an additional layer of protection before even reaching the main gate. It also includes what has been described as the best-preserved suite of medieval private royal chambers in England and Wales. The gates of the Barbican were originally protected by a portcullis, a head. heavy grilled door that could be dropped quickly in case of an attack. This feature added to the defensive strength of the entrance. The main entrance through the western barbican was reached via a drawbridge and a masonry ramp that sharply ascended from the town below.

This positioning made it difficult for attackers to approach the castle directly. There is one incredible story of daring in which this royal palace was taken. It involves trickery and a name that would become enduringly famous within a century. Nathan Amin joined me at Conway to tell me the tale. 1401, we're 120 years into the life of this castle and trouble is brewing again in Wales. So since 1282 the Welsh have been a conquered people and they're having to really toll the line under tough English overlords. There is a lot of resentment on the ground in Wales and there's And the rebellion is led at this time by a fairly famous figure Owing Glandua.

Why does he start a rebellion at this time? In 1400, 1401, O'Ewan Gleindu is an interesting figure, who has done quite well under English rule. But by 1400, you know, his people are bristled under this English government. The time is just ripe for O'Ewe to raise the ban of rebellion. O'Inglinduah was a Welsh landowner who could claim descent from several of the ancient royal lines of Wales. In 1400, a dispute with a neighbour pushed Owen into revolt.

He claimed the title Prince of Wales and sparked a rebellion that would last for 15 years. Some of those who joined him were close family. Owen Glendour has a group of first cousins on Anglesea. We today call him the Tudors of Penmanidth. They are the two main leaders of this branch. That's Rhys, son of Tudor and Gwilling, son of Tudor. O'Awain Glyndu's uncle was a man named Tudor Ap Gronwy. He'd served English kings on Anglesea, the large island just off the coast of North Wales.

Tudor's sons, Reese and Gwilom, would join O'Ein's uprising, bringing a name to the four at the beginning of the 15th century that would be famous by its end. At the time that their cousin, Owen Glendour, raises his banner revolt, in North East Wales, they are doing the same in Anglesea. They lead a direct attack on Bumaris Castle, another famous seat of English power in North Wales before they are gradually pushed back into the hills. The Tudors now set their sights on Conway.

So why then do they choose Conway as their target? So the King Henry IV has pardoned all the Welsh rebels, but he's excluded three from that list. That is Owen Glendour himself, that is Rhys Abtider, and Ashgwilling Abtidder. So they are now faced with the punishment of death if they are caught. They need to do something to get their pardon. So it brings us to Conroy Castle in April 1401. An attack being in the best form of defence, I guess,

so they're going to try and get this place in order to negotiate the pardon that they need to save their own lives. It sounds odd that they've committed an act of treason and they now decide to commit a further act of treason to try and get pardon for the first act of treason. That's exactly what they do. On the 1st of April, 1401, they emerge out of the mountains of Wales. The 1st of April is a great holy day in the Christian calendar. The garrison year are away in the town church

and they've only left two guards on duty. One of the Welshmen approaches the gate. He says that he's a carpenter. He needs to come back and finish off some of the work. The guards, foolishly, raise the Port Culles. And as they do, a gang of around 40 Welshmen, breaking. They kill the true guards. And they've taken the castle, as simple as that.

So how long do they manage to hold the castle for? They hold it for about 15 weeks. They do eventually surrender. But there is a little sad twist in the tale. The deal is that they have to give up nine of their men. They're handing over to the English who hang, draw and quarter them. So by taking Conry Castle, what the Tudors have done is they really have reinvigorated the Welsh. So suddenly the Welsh come out in their droves and they restart the rebellion.

But the rebellion does eventually get quashed. England introduced penal laws to punish the Welsh. Welshmen were barred from high public office, from carrying weapons and from assembling in numbers, alongside a raft of measures meant to restrict them. Conway had its own rules about excluding Welsh people too. A curfew bell was sounded at 8pm and at 6am. Between those hours, it was illegal for a Welsh person to be within the walls and any English folk caught outside were locked out for the night.

The morning bell was nicknamed the porridge bell since it woke the whole town up every morning. Ten years later, the two years later, the two weeks. have been destroyed as a Welsh family. Rhys and Gwilm die, their younger brother, Meredith, Abtidur, he's also dead. He is left behind a small boy, a young boy named Owain, up Meredith,

Abtidder, Owen, son of Meredith, son of Tudor. But there's nothing left for him in this part of North Wales. Rees and Gwilom's brother, Meredith, sent his son Owen to England to try and avoid the repressive laws. Welsh naming traditions usually involved a son having a forename, followed by App, meaning son of, followed by his father's name. Oain would have been known as Oain App Meredith, but that was changed to Owen Tudor in an effort to anglicise it

to appear to use Tudor as a family surname. Through one of the most remarkable series of events, this young son of North Wales, he meets and marries a dowetre Queen of his They have four children, one of whom goes on to father the future Henry the 7th of England. To this day, Conway Castle remains a significant historical and architectural monument, offering insights into the medieval period's military strategies and socio-political dynamics. Its construction exemplifies the meticulous planning and formidable design characteristics of Edward I, castles symbolising the English Crown's authority in Wales. Its connection to the town around it

demonstrates how a castle and a town working together could prove utterly indomitable. Today, Conway Castle stands as a World Heritage Site, preserving the legacy of medieval architecture and the historical narrative of English expansion. Thanks to to my guests who you heard through this episode and to you for listening to Gone Medieval from History Hits. In the next episode in this series, I'm heading across the sea to County Meath to explore Trim Castle,

a strategic and political stronghold during the Norman invasion of Ireland with connections to some of the most famous medieval families. Remember, you can enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original TV documentaries, including my series The Castles That Made Britain and add free podcasts by signing up at historyhit.com forward slash subscribe.

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