Castle building (in Wales)

Castle building in Wales, particularly during the medieval period, involved the strategic construction of stone fortifications to defend territory and establish royal or noble presence. Welsh castles ranged from simple concentric defenses to grand stone structures, often built on elevated sites for visibility and defense. The process required careful planning, sourcing durable materials like local stone, and skilled craftsmanship in masonry and carpentry. Castles served military, administrative, and social functions, symbolizing power and control. Over time, some castles evolved from wooden motte-and-bailey designs to sophisticated stone fortresses, reflecting advances in military technology and regional politics.