In 1283, King Edward I of England started building Harlech Castle in North Wales. It was 1 of 17 castles built or repaired by Edward I to maintain English control of Wales and to display his authority in that newly won area of Great Britain.
The Welsh revolted in 1294 and began attacking Edward’s castles. Harlech came under attack on the land side of the castle. Fortunately, it was strategically built on a great rock above Tremadog Bay. A water gate had been built at the base of the rock with access to the bay. This foresightful building location and castle design meant that supplies could still reach the castle when it was under siege. For 4 months, January to April 1295, ships from Ireland carrying food, clothing, iron, coal and other supplies were able to reach the castle during the Welsh siege. A well inside the castle walls provided water.
Do you have ways to provide for your family when it is under siege temporally or spiritually. Do you have ways to produce food, make clothes or barter for needed goods? Do you have ways to bring in extra income? Do you have a supportive community of family and friends that could help provide what you might lack temporally and/or spiritually? Build your water gates in strategic places to prepare for the sieges ahead.
