James of Saint George

Master James of Saint George (c. 1230–1309; French: Maître Jacques de Saint-Georges, Old French: Mestre Jaks, Latin: Magister Jacobus de Sancto Georgio) was a master of works/architect from Savoy, described by historian Marc Morris as "one of the greatest architects of the European Middle Ages".

This strong evidence related to his father, including year of death and architectural style, lead to the conclusion that John was Jean Cotereel the builder of Saint-Prex and Lausanne Cathedral.

[8] The first reference to this name in English records is Magistri Jacobi Di Sancto Georgio on 8 November 1280, two years after his arrival into England.

His patron, King Edward I, probably met Master James of St George whilst returning from Crusade and visiting Savoy in 1273.

[10] James was responsible for the castles constructed for Philip I, Count of Savoy in the Viennois between 1270 and 1275 at Saint-Georges-d'Espéranche, La Côte-Saint-André, Voiron and Saint-Laurent-du-Pont.

[11] Historian and author A. J. Taylor proposed in 1950 that Jacques de Saint-Georges and Master James of Saint George were one and the same man.

[16] Historian A. J. Taylor records that from 1277 until 1280 his main work was to supervise the building of Rhuddlan Castle and the canalisation of the River Clwyd before turning to Flint.

On 3 July 1290, James of St George was appointed Constable of Harlech Castle, succeeding John de Bonvillars who had died in August 1287.