BattlefieldsHarlech Castle Siege 1283
Medieval

Harlech Castle Siege 1283

1283
Gwynedd, Wales
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Gwynedd, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Welsh defenders
Forces
Welsh defenders of the rocky Harlech promontory
VS
Victor
Edward I English forces
Forces
Edward I English forces
Outcome
Harlech promontory taken; construction of the great castle begun immediately
The Battle

History & Significance

During the conquest of Gwynedd, Edward I s forces took possession of the Harlech promontory from which the great concentric castle was subsequently built. Welsh defenders of the rocky outcrop above the sea were driven off, enabling Edward s engineers under Master James of St George to begin construction of what became one of the most sophisticated medieval fortresses in Europe.

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