Beaumaris Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Wales (Topic)

Beaumaris Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Wales. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Beaumaris Castle.

Photo and description

Beaumaris is an ancient castle located on the island of Anglesey, at the entrance to the Menai Strait, which separates Anglesey from the coast of North Wales.

Initially, there was a small settlement of the Vikings, which was called Viking Port (wall Porth y Wygyr). In 1295, King Edward I gave the order to build a castle here - another link in the "iron ring" of fortresses, which, according to Edward's plan, was supposed to gird Wales and strengthen the power of the conquerors. This ring includes the castles of Conwy, Carnarvon and Harlech (Harlech).

Beaumaris Castle was built on a swamp, hence its name is a distorted French "beau marais" - a beautiful swamp. The castle performed a double function - it established control over the strategically important Menai Strait and served as a deterrent against the emergence of new Welsh uprisings. The creation of the architect Jacques (James) Saint-Georges of Savoy is considered a masterpiece and a perfect example of a concentric castle.

Beaumaris received royal status, which meant that only British and Normans could settle in the castle and in the city around it. And the townspeople of Welsh origin were deprived of the right to hold official posts, carry weapons, and own real estate within the city. A separate clause of the charter prohibited Jews from living in the city. Any trade outside the city limits was also prohibited, as a result of which Beaumaris quickly became the trading center of Anglesey. Besides, it has become one of the three most important Saxon ports in Britain and the center of shipbuilding.

In addition to the castle itself, the city has preserved many old buildings. This courthouse, built in 1614, the city prison, the parish church of St. Mary, built in the fourteenth century and built at the same time "Tudor rose" - one of the oldest half-timbered buildings in Britain. Yachts and pleasure boats are still moored at the Beaumaris pier, built in 1846.

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Topic: Beaumaris Castle description and photos - Great Britain: Wales.