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Caernarfon
Highlights
The Defences
Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd is the mightiest and most impressive of a string
of majestic castles which Edward I built after his conquest of North Wales in
1283. An enormous fortress-palace by the sea, it has good claim to be one of the
most important castles in the UK. It is the product not only of Edward's military
genius, but also of the king's ambition to be like the legendary King Arthur - the mythical ruler of a united island of Britain.
One of the most interesting defensive features of the castle are the multiple
arrow slits in the walls, flanking all approaches at various levels.
The transcript from the Voiceover on the Video:
“But what you can appreciate at Caernarfon is the amazing sophistication
of the defences. After all Master James’ primary concern was to keep Edward
and his family protected.
Come and take a look at these. This is an enormous bank of crossbow slots. You
can see they go 45 degrees that way. 45 degrees that way. Move along a bit. A
straight one. Bit further along. 45 degrees that way again. 45 degrees that way.
And then a straight one. And so on along this wall giving you this incredible
concentration of power. So you can pick people off from whatever angle they’re
coming at you.”
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