Bangor Town Defences

Has been described as a Questionable Urban Defence

There are no visible remains

NameBangor Town Defences
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCaernarfonshire
Modern AuthorityGwynedd
1974 AuthorityGwynedd
CommunityBangor

Edward I is said to have erected some town defences in 1284, but their form and location is not known. (Soulsby ref–Annales Cambriae, 108)

1284. Annus. Visitavit Johannes de Pecham archiepiscopus Cantuariensis diœceses Menevensis, Landauensis, Bangorensis, Asaphensis. Incepit autem visitare ecclesia Menevensis VIo. Idus Julii. Eodem anno reœdificavit rex Eadwardus castrum de Lanpadarnvawr. Et incepit sedificare castrum apud Aberconoe, et fecit munitiones apud Bangor et apud Rayrarvon. (Annales Cambiae)

Gatehouse Comments

'et fecit munitiones' is open to interpretation 'munitiones' can be translated as strongholds or fortresses (as in translations of the Vulgate Bible) but often, in practice, seems to have meant supply. Given the fairly good royal records one would expect some better reference if there was actually any building work and it is more likely this reference is one to Edward leaving a supply dump at Bangor rather than anything else.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSH580720
Latitude53.2265205383301
Longitude-4.12735986709595
Eastings258000
Northings372000
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 74, 273
  • Bond, C.J., 1987, 'Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Defences' in Schofield, J. and Leech, R. (eds), Urban Archaeology in Britain (CBA Research Report 61) p. 92-116 online copy
  • Soulsby, Ian, 1983, The Towns of Medieval Wales (Phillimore; Chichester) p. 76-78

Journals

  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86

Primary Sources

  • Williams (ab Ithel), John, (ed), 1860, Annales Cambriae (444 – 1288) (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts) p. 108 online copy