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During a time period when power hungry kings would often attack each other, King Edward I of England embarked on one of the most amazing building projects of the Middle Ages - his “iron ring” of castles in Wales. After having to fight two difficult campaigns in Wales, Edward I was determined not to fight a third time for the same land. He fulfilled a brilliant scheme handed down to him by his father King Henry III to repair, renovate, and construct many new castles in Wales (source 2). Edward’s “iron ring” included the castles of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Harlech, Aberystwyth, Builith, Flint, Rhuddlan, and Montgomery. Beaumaris is the most spectacular of the group and is considered to be Edward I’s greatest castle (source 1) even though it was never finished. Edward I became the King of England in 1272 A.D. His most significant accomplishment was the conquest of Wales and temporarily controlling Scotland. In 1290, he married Eleanor of Castile. As king, Edward I was known for his creativeness and effectiveness in dealing with the barons following the reforms established by the Provisions of Oxford, a treaty between King Henry III and the parliament that was intended to control the King’s powers (source 3).