Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/338

238 first erected; if, indeed, any part of the existing fabric is really assignable to the period when Edward first began his operations. As we proceed in chronological order, it will be perceived that the work was in a state of progress for several years. The notion, therefore, that the Castle was constructed in the short space of twelve months, which has hitherto been the general opinion, is too incredible to engage belief. The extent and magnificence of so vast an edifice could only be the work of a lengthened period. The grandeur of the general design, the stateliness of its lofty polygonal towers, rivalling each other in massiveness and dignity, its long vista of carefully finished corridors, its structures sunk and imbedded in rocky foundations, the ample width and strength of its curtain walls, perforated with every variety of loop-hole and oilet, and the deep fosse which formerly encircled the northern side, declare at once the utter improbability of such extraordinary works being executed within so limited a period; perfected, too, at a time when the natives of the country were scarcely vanquished, and when the expenses of the Welsh and Scottish wars had impoverished the Exchequer. All this carries sufficient unlikelihood on the face of it, did we not further know from official documents, which will be shortly quoted, that the present buildings were the labour of several years, and even extended into two reigns.

It is by the aid of these records, which are stored up in four different depositories of the Public Evidences, that I shall endeavour to illustrate the history of Caernarvon Castle, and if the extracts adduced are not sufficiently close to indicate the exact period when the earliest parts were built, and to point out which they were, there will still be several clues afforded from whence reasonable inferences may be drawn as to their relative antiquity, whilst in some instances they will furnish a precise date for what is actually standing.

After the subjugation of the country, the Crown appointed officers to administer justice and attend to the collection or disbursement of the royal revenues in the provinces of North and South Wales. Thus the different pleas were heard before the Chief Justiciary, who held his Court of Chancery and Court of Exchequer within the Castle, whilst the Chamberlain was responsible for the collection and payment of the various aids and rents contributed by this portion of the