Welsh Journals

CRICCIETH CASTLE. BY HAROLD HUGHES, ESQ., A.R.I.B.A. IN response to the request of the Committee of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, and with the permission of the late Lord Harlech, I made a survey of Criccieth Castle in April and May, 1904. In measuring and taking levels I received much assistance from Sergeant Wilkinson, the custodian of the Castle. The Castle stands on a rocky eminence, projecting boldly into the sea, and connected with the mainland on the north-west side only. The existing remains are those of inner and outer wards, while, lower down the hill, on the north-east and north-west slopes, are approximately level plat- forms, suggestive of having been employed in connec- tion with outer defences. The Castle never was large, and could only have provided accommodation for a small garrison, compared with the more important Edwardian fortifications. The inner ward is an irregular polygonal enclosure, with a gateway at the northern end flanked by massive towers. A considerable height of the greater portion of the enclosing walls of this ward remains standing. Of the containing walls of the outer ward the re- mains are only fragmentary. At one or two points they are of considerable height. At others a small portion of face, of core, or of foundations, alone is visible. The present approach to the plateau on the summit of the rock on which the Castle stands is by a modern pathway, passing through a ruined loop in the con- taining wall of the outer ward. It is difficult to form an opinion with regard to the route of the original approach. Immediately outside the entrance gateway the ground within the outer