The construction of Harlech castle began under the command of English King Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282-89. The military architect Master James of Saint George employed 950 people to construct the castle and it was completed after six years of constant, laborious determination, and strict orders of course. The castle is supposed to look intimidating as it was a part of the 'iron ring' of castles around the coastal fringes and with the way that it was constructed, only the East side was at risk of attack. The castle has been exposed to a number of battles over the centuries having been sieged and taken from the English by Owain Glyndwr in 1404, and then recaptured by the English in 1409. Whilst it was mainly in possession of the English, especially when the English Civil War broke out in 1642, the castle now belongs to the Welsh government and is a well sought out tourist attraction.
