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Caernarfon Castle, Carnarfonshire, North-West Wales aka Gwynedd, British Isles [Map]

Caernarfon Castle is in Caernarfon [Map], Castles in Carnarfonshire.

The Welsh Castles and Towns of Edward I comprise a number of castles, some with associated planned towns, commissioned as a means of containing the Welsh. They included, from east to west, Flint Castle [Map], Rhuddlan [Map], Conwy Castle [Map], Beaumaris Castle [Map], Caernarfon Castle [Map], Harlech Castle [Map] and Aberystwyth Castle [Map]. Those not on the coast include Chirk Castle [Map], Denbigh Castle and Town Walls [Map] and Builth Castle [Map]. Arguably, Holt Castle [Map] and Criccieth Castle [Map] should be included.

On 25th April 1284 King Edward II of England was born to King Edward I of England (age 44) and Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 43) at Caernarfon Castle [Map].

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. In the same year, around the Feast of Saint Michael [29th September 1294], the Welsh began to rebel. For they had gathered and agreed among themselves that on that very day of Saint Michael they would all rise up together against the king and take his castles. And so they did: on that same day, almost without warning, they seized many castles, including the castle of Caernarfon [Map], which our king had previously constructed at great expense. They demolished its walls and slaughtered the king's officials; the English who were able fled, and many were cut down by the sword, for these events occurred suddenly. The leaders of this rebellion claimed to be descended, by name, from the blood of Prince Llywelyn, and therefore said they were bound to revive the name of prince.

Eodem anno circa festum sancti Michaelis Wallenses rebellare cœperunt. Convenerant enim et statuerant inter se quod in ipso die sancti Michaelis omnes unanimiter insurgerent contra regem, et castra ejus dirimerent, feceruntque sic, et eodem die quasi ex improviso ceperunt castella multa, ceperuntque castrum de Carnarvan quod rex noster dudum sumptuosissime construxerat, demolientes muros et ministros regis trucidantes, fugeruntque Anglici qui poterant, et multi absorpti sunt in ore gladii eo quod subito facta sunt hæc. Istius autem sediduo, nominatim de sanguine principis Leulini se descendisse dicebant, et ideo nomen principis suscitare debere.

Around 1775. Paul Sandby (age 44). "Caernarfon Castle [Map]".

Around 1775. Paul Sandby (age 44). "Caernarfon Castle [Map]".

Around 1780. Joseph Farington (age 32). Caernarfon Castle [Map].

12th July 1790. John Warwick Smith (age 40). "General view of the town & castle of Caernarvon [Map] from Tut Hill".

1795-1802. Thomas Girtin (age 19). Caernarfon Castle [Map].

1833. William James Müller (age 20). "Gateway of Caernarfon Castle [Map]".

1837. William James Müller (age 24). "Caernarfon Castle [Map]".

In 1911 William Goscombe John (age 50) was knighted during the investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales (age 16) at Caernarfon Castle [Map].