Beaumaris Castle Anglesey Wales UK 16th August 2025

Please share with your friends. Beaumaris Castle, located on the island of Anglesey in Wales, is considered an unfinished masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Its construction was part of King Edward I's campaign to secure control over North Wales. Construction and Purpose Construction of the castle began in 1295 under the direction of Master James of St George, a renowned military architect. The castle's design is a superb example of concentric fortification, featuring a "walls within walls" structure with a moat surrounding the outer walls. This innovative design was intended to provide multiple layers of defense. The name "Beaumaris" itself comes from the Norman French "beau marais," meaning "beautiful marsh," which describes the site where it was built. Despite its ambitious design and an initial workforce of over 2,000 laborers, the castle was never fully completed. Funding and resources were diverted to Edward I's wars with Scotland, causing work to cease around 1330. The inner ward towers and gatehouses were not built to their intended height, leaving the castle with its distinctive, squat appearance. Later History and Legacy Beaumaris Castle played a role in several conflicts after its construction, including the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion in the early 15th century, during which it was captured and later retaken by English forces. It also served as a strategic point during the English Civil War in the 17th century, controlling part of the supply route between Ireland and England. The castle was held by Royalist forces before surrendering to the Parliamentarians. Unlike many castles that were slighted (damaged to prevent military use) after the Civil War, Beaumaris was spared and garrisoned by Parliament. However, it eventually fell into ruin. In the 19th century, it was incorporated into a local estate, and in 1925, it was handed over to the Commissioners of Works for restoration. Today, Beaumaris Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its architectural significance as one of the finest examples of late 13th and early 14th-century military architecture in Europe. Thanks for watching. Facebook facebook.com/SteveAndAnitaInMallorca Email: [email protected] Instagram   / steveandanitainmallorca   #mallorca #majorca #baleares #spain #vlog #illesbalears Here is a link to our 360º Virtual Reality channel:    / 360vrsteveandanitainmallorca