Flint Castle was built by the Hammer of the Scots, Edward I, as part of his 'ring of steel' of fortresses designed to subdue the rebellious Welsh. Construction began c.1277 and took seven years. The King's master builder, James of St George, took a hand in the later stages of the design. Sadly, like so many other castles during the Civil War, Flint was 'slighted' by Cromwell's forces to render it useless for defence. But the eyeless towers which gaze out to sea still have an air of solitary grandeur.Find out more in my Footsteps feature for the February issue of BBC History magazine.
Photo © Nigel Wilkes.
