Charles Oman, Castles (1926), reproduced courtesy of
www.fromoldbooks.org Harlech Castle is located in Harlech,
Gwynedd, Wales. War broke out between Wales and England on 22
March 1282. The Welsh leader, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, died later
that year, but his brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd continued to
fight. Dolwyddelan Castle was captured by the English in January
1283 and this opened up access to the Conwy valley. After
Castell y Bere fell to English forces two months later, 560
soldiers marched on Harlech, led by Sir Otto de Grandison. Work
then began on building a castle at Harlech. Like many of the
castles in the area, Harlech was designed by Master James of St.
George. The castle took seven years to build, and cost an
estimated £8,190. After its completion, James was appointed
Constable of the Castle, a position that he held for over three
years. All the royal castles of Edward's second Welsh campaign
were sited so that they could be kept supplied at all times,
often from the sea. Harlech is now inland but was