The earliest reference to building at Caernarfon Castle dates from 24th June 1283 when a ditch was dug separating the site of the castle from the town.
Edward I's war with Wales ended in May 1283 and he began building castles to consolidate his rule. Caernarfon Castle is perhaps Edward's most imposing castles as it was to be a symbol of English dominance over the subdued Welsh.
* The master mason responsible for the design and orchestrating the construction of the castle was James of Saint George.
* The architecture was based on that of Constantinople, which had inspired Edward when he was fighting there in the Crusades.
* As with most castles built in enemy territory, a wooden barricade was erected to defend the building works from attack.
* Timber was shipped in from Rhuddlan, Conway and Liverpool.
* Stone was quarried from Anglesey and from the ruins of the nearby Roman fort of Segontium.
* According to the Flores Historium, during the construction of the castle and planned town, the body of the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus was discovered and Edward I ordered his reburial in a local church.
* The cost of the building work was £22,000, more than the Treasury's yearly income.
* Building work continued until 1323, but it was actually never finished.
* Edward II was born at Caernarfon on 25 April 1284.
* In 1284, Caernarfon was defended by a garrison of forty men.
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