3-021-332 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Room in the Eagle Tower, Carnarvon Castle, where the first Prince of Wales is said to have been born, 1868. 'There is a local tradition that it was in the Eagle Tower of Carnarvon Castle, and in the very room shown in our Engraving, that Edward II. was born, April 25, 1284. But this, we believe, is now proved to be a mistake. The building of Carnarvon Castle, it appears from authentic records, was not begun till later in that very year, and the Eagle Tower was built by Edward II. himself, from 1316 to 1320...This question, which has been thoroughly discussed by the Rev. C. H. Hartshorne, a learned member of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, may perhaps be taken as settled. There cannot be the slightest doubt that Edward II. was born at Carnarvon, and that he had a Welsh nurse, "Mary of Carnarvon"...It is very questionable, however, that "the first Prince of Wales," as is stated in the address read in Carnarvon Castle on Saturday week, "was presented to a reluctant population from the gates of this majestic and venerable building." The fact seems to be that the babe was sent, as speedily as possible, to Rhuddlan Castle, where the King was then holding a Parliament with the assembled chieftains of Wales'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.