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Beaumaris was the last of the great castles Edward I built in Wales to overpower the Welsh. Begun in 1295 at a new site "Beautiful marsh" next to the sea on the island of Anglesey at the north end of the Menai Straight, it is the most perfect concentric wall design, but it was never completely finished. Here we see the moat and protective curtain wall outer layers with the higher central keep inner wall in the background. The many defensive layers of Beaumaris Castle are visible in the diagram. The moat, outer curtain walls, barbican, gatehouses with portcullis and murder holes, and the nner walls. Beaumaris position next to the sea allowed resupply via ships that could dock in the tidal dock near the entrance seen here. The defences include arrow slits in carefully chosen locations. The entrance gatehouses are protected by murder holes through which defenders could shoot or pour hot oil over invaders. There are 14 separate obstacles as well as the four layers of fortifications. If an attacker manages to breach the outer wall or storm the entrance they have to turn right to attack the barbican that sits just outside the large gatehouse of the inner wall. Their left flank is open to attack by archers. Beamaris Castle outer courtyard between the inner walls and the outer curtain walls is a pleasant grassy area today but would have been a very dangerous placefor any attackers reaching it during an attack. There are many arrow slits in the inner walls and also the towers of the outer curtain wall would overlook this area. Because the Welsh had largely been subdued by the time Beaumaris was nearing completion it was not considered worth the money to complete it and the buildings planned for the inner courtyard were never built. Also the inner walls and gatehouses were never completed to their full planned height. There is a path with guard rails around the top of the inner walls that afford dramatic views both down into the inner courtyard and across the sea to the distant hills. Beaumaris Castle is situated at the end of Castle street and the town has grown up over the years next to it. There is a large grassy municipal car parking area to the left of this image and next to the sea that is ideal for family picnics or games. Beaumaris Castle gatehouse with view into the inner courtyard. Note the arrow slits where the round tower meets the center wall overlooking the area in front of the gate. Near the southern entrance to the gatehouse in the curtain wall. The many arrow slits along the curtain wall and in the towers afford defenders an unlimited field of fire and ensure there is not safe place for any attacker.
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