Ring of Iron

The Ring of Iron (Welsh: Gylch Haearn) or Iron Ring of Castles was a chain of fortifications and castles built across Wales at Edward I's command [1] after the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282 and the subsequent Conquest of Wales by Edward I of England.

[3] The purpose of building the iron ring of castles was to control the native Welsh population, particularly in Gwynedd, which had been the main focus of resistance to the English crown for centuries.

Many of the castles begun after the end of the war in 1282 were the work of master architect James of Saint George.

By populating the bastides with English settlers, Edward created an outpost of England within Wales; Welsh were permitted to enter the town unarmed during the day but not to trade.

This plan was met with criticism, and accusations were made that it was commemorating the Edwardian conquest of Wales, a contentious event among the Welsh public.