Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now normally used in preference over the Anglicised form, "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon") is a 'Royal Town' in Gwynedd in north-west Wales. It has a population of 9,611 (2001 census).
Caernafon is the traditional county town of the traditional county of Caernarfonshire. The town is best known for its great stone castle, the handiwork of Edward I of England and consequently sometimes seen as a symbol of English domination. Edward's architect, James of St George, modelled the castle on the walls of Constantinople - Edward being devoted to the Crusader cause.
The population of Caernarfon is largely Welsh-speaking and the town is nowadays a rallying-point for the nationalist cause. In 1911, David Lloyd George, then Member of Parliament for the borough, conceived the idea of holding the investiture of the new Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, believing that this would help pacify nationalist opinion whilst arousing patriotic feeling. The ceremony took place on July 13, with the royal family paying a rare visit to the principality, and the future King Edward VIII was duly invested.
On July 1 1969, the investiture ceremony was repeated at Caernarfon, the recipient on this occasion being Charles, Prince of Wales. Despite nationalist threats and protests throughout Wales, the ceremony went ahead without incident.
Caernarfon is also home to the regimental museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers ( archaic spelling of the word Welch instead of Welsh ).
Caernarfon hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1862, 1894, 1906, 1921, 1935, 1959 and 1979. Unofficial National Eisteddfod events were also held there in 1877 and 1880.
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Last updated: 10-15-2005 04:05:47
