Architecture and Building Methods of Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris is a concentric castle, and one of the first of its time. Built by Master James of St George, an architect from
the city of Savoy, near the Swiss-Italian Border, who had built towns, castles and other architecture. Beaumaris has two wards, an inner and outer one, along with numerous towers and an inner and outer bailey. The Keep and Gatehouse are opposite each other, and are situated in the inner wall. The purpose of this is used in the result of an attack. The keep was the tallest of the towers, and the theory was if Beaumaris was attacked, the people controlling the towers would be able to alert one another, and as Beaumaris is about a day’s march from the surrounding castles Harlech, Carnarvon and Conwy, they would be able to send for back up if needed. Beaumaris is believed to have had six portcullises, three for each inner tower. Beaumaris is built using mainly stone, due to the fact it was at that time one of the hardest wearing and lasting materials available. The walls were filled using mortar and flint, two mineral based materials that had been proven to strengthen the walls in many castles and monasteries. Building began in 1295 with the basic construction. In 1298, when Beaumaris is built to the point where it can defend itself if attacked, several structures are incomplete, such as the Towers and upper part of the Gatehouse. In 1306, a report states that there are problems with the structure such as a shallow moat. 1341, more building problems occur such as rotten timbers, and the towers requiring more lead. This was a result of Beaumaris never being properly completed. Beaumaris has minor structural problems due to the fact it was never completed. This is because Edward was fighting wars in Scotland, and the more urgent fact was defenses there. With little communication to Master James, Beaumaris’s construction ceased, and no attempt was made to re build it.
the city of Savoy, near the Swiss-Italian Border, who had built towns, castles and other architecture. Beaumaris has two wards, an inner and outer one, along with numerous towers and an inner and outer bailey. The Keep and Gatehouse are opposite each other, and are situated in the inner wall. The purpose of this is used in the result of an attack. The keep was the tallest of the towers, and the theory was if Beaumaris was attacked, the people controlling the towers would be able to alert one another, and as Beaumaris is about a day’s march from the surrounding castles Harlech, Carnarvon and Conwy, they would be able to send for back up if needed. Beaumaris is believed to have had six portcullises, three for each inner tower. Beaumaris is built using mainly stone, due to the fact it was at that time one of the hardest wearing and lasting materials available. The walls were filled using mortar and flint, two mineral based materials that had been proven to strengthen the walls in many castles and monasteries. Building began in 1295 with the basic construction. In 1298, when Beaumaris is built to the point where it can defend itself if attacked, several structures are incomplete, such as the Towers and upper part of the Gatehouse. In 1306, a report states that there are problems with the structure such as a shallow moat. 1341, more building problems occur such as rotten timbers, and the towers requiring more lead. This was a result of Beaumaris never being properly completed. Beaumaris has minor structural problems due to the fact it was never completed. This is because Edward was fighting wars in Scotland, and the more urgent fact was defenses there. With little communication to Master James, Beaumaris’s construction ceased, and no attempt was made to re build it.
Parts of a castle
Outer wall of Beaumaris
Outer wall- The outer wall, more common in a concentric castle, is the outside
wall of a stone castle. Made of stone filled with mortar and flint, the outer
wall was often 7-10m high and had many towers
Moat- In Beaumaris, the moat is a wet moat, filled with water. There
could also be dry moats, like deep ditches. Moats were used as a defensive
mechanism, to keep out attackers and invaders. Beaumaris’s moat is only the
first of a string of defenses and stretches around the circumference of a
castle.
Murder Holes- Murder holes were located in the gatehouse. They were holes within
the walls that, in the case of castle attack, would have boiling hot oil or
water poured onto invaders entering the castle.
Arrow slits-
Were located in the walls of the castle. If invaders entered, archers would fire
through slits in the castle wall. The archers were protected by the wall, in the
way you could only fire out, not in, and could easily surprise attackers.
wall of a stone castle. Made of stone filled with mortar and flint, the outer
wall was often 7-10m high and had many towers
Moat- In Beaumaris, the moat is a wet moat, filled with water. There
could also be dry moats, like deep ditches. Moats were used as a defensive
mechanism, to keep out attackers and invaders. Beaumaris’s moat is only the
first of a string of defenses and stretches around the circumference of a
castle.
Murder Holes- Murder holes were located in the gatehouse. They were holes within
the walls that, in the case of castle attack, would have boiling hot oil or
water poured onto invaders entering the castle.
Arrow slits-
Were located in the walls of the castle. If invaders entered, archers would fire
through slits in the castle wall. The archers were protected by the wall, in the
way you could only fire out, not in, and could easily surprise attackers.
Gatehouse- A constantly guarded part of the castle, the gatehouse is a
stronghold near the gate, which protects it from attack.
Barbican- A structure that held the portcullis. Often made if stone, the
barbican had men guarding it day and night to protect from the threats of
invaders.
Portcullis- A wooden gate.
stronghold near the gate, which protects it from attack.
Barbican- A structure that held the portcullis. Often made if stone, the
barbican had men guarding it day and night to protect from the threats of
invaders.
Portcullis- A wooden gate.
Outer Bailey
Outer bailey- A patch of land inside the outer wall. If invaders entered, they
would have crossfire pouring down on them from the soldiers on the inner
wall.
would have crossfire pouring down on them from the soldiers on the inner
wall.
Inner Bailey
Inner bailey- Inside the inner wall, this bailey was square. If all else failed,
all soldiers would kill the enemy from above, with rocks or arrows. Sometimes
containing a garden or well.
all soldiers would kill the enemy from above, with rocks or arrows. Sometimes
containing a garden or well.
Inner wall- A wall inside the castle, the inner wall was thicker, and had more
defenses such as thick towers, a gatehouse and a keep.
defenses such as thick towers, a gatehouse and a keep.
A tower
Towers- Large towers were on the inner wall, smaller on the outside. Made
of stone, they differed in height as a warning mechanism.
Keep- The largest tower was alerted in the face of attack. Could have
murder holes or other traps.
of stone, they differed in height as a warning mechanism.
Keep- The largest tower was alerted in the face of attack. Could have
murder holes or other traps.