Speakers of Welsh and speakers of English had lived at arm's length from each other for centuries. Along with the language difference, there was also an ancient historical conflict, and the barrier known as Offa's Dyke attests to the long-standing division of the two groups. Ironically, however, the conquest of Wales by England took place under the leadership of French speakers. First, Norman knights occupied a great deal of eastern and southern Wales in the twelfth century. A little over a hundred years later, the French-speaking Edward I subdued the Welsh in their last stronghold in northwest Wales.

Edward, who was king from 1272 to 1307, considered himself a natural heir to the rights supposedly claimed by King Arthur to sovereignty over all of Britain. Not surprisingly, Edward came into conflict with the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, whose power base was in the northwestern mountain country of Snowdonia. Several battles took place, and in one in 1282 Llywelyn was killed. Other English kings had defeated Welsh leaders, but such victories did not mean the end of Welsh resistance. What made Edward more successful was his ruthless determination to isolate the highlands of Snowdonia from the rest of Wales. To achieve this aim, he built several castles, among them the following:

• Caernarfon, to the northwest of Snowdonia;

• Beaumarais, to the northwest;

• Conwy, to the northeast;

• Harlech, to the southwest.

Of all these castles, Caernarfon was no doubt the most important, and it is no accident that that Edward's son, the first English Prince of Wales, lived in Caernarfon.

To see an enlargement of the picture of Caernarfon at the top of this page, press here.

To visit a very detailed Website for Welsh castles, press here.