Caernarfon (Segontium)

The Romans did have a fort in Caernarfon, but this castle is another of Edward I's Iron Ring, built 1283-92 after Rhuddlan and, like Conwy, on a much larger scale intended to dominate not only the surrounding area but also the Menai straits and access to Anglesey. Caernarfon is intimidatingly massive and no doubt intentionally so and, taken together, the castles of the Iron Ring represent the most substantial building programme of medieval times - acknowledged by their status as World Heritage sites.

Legend has it that Edward promised the Welsh that he would appoint as Prince of Wales someone born in Wales and who didn't speak a word of English. He moved his heavily pregnant wife here while building work was still underway, and subsequently appointed his son the first ('English') Prince of Wales - a tradition followed until the present day - Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales here in the castle in 1969.