James of St. George
Encyclopedia
Master James of Saint George (c. 1230 – 1309), also known as Jacques de Saint-Georges d'Espéranche, was an architect
from Savoy
responsible for designing many of Edward I
's castle
s, including Conwy
, Harlech
and Caernarfon
(all begun in 1283) and Beaumaris
in Anglesey
(begun 1295).
Early records seem to indicate that his father, Master John, was a master mason
who worked on castles in Savoy in the 1260s. The "St George" is believed to be a reference to the castle of Saint-Georges d'Espéranche, located southeast of Lyon
. Edward I probably met Master James of St George whilst visiting Savoy in 1273, but did not employ him until the late 1270s.
The earliest references in the English
records to James of St George are found in 1278; he is referred to as an "ingeniator" (engineer) and "mazun" (mason). In 1278, he was recorded as travelling to Wales
, at which time four new castles were being built: Flint
, Rhuddlan
, Builth and Aberystwyth
. The records indicate that he was master mason at Flint and Rhuddlan between 1278 and 1282.
He was appointed Master of the Royal Works in Wales ("magister operacionum in Wallia") around 1285, drawing a wage of 3s a day.
Harlech Castle, begun in 1283, was effectively completed in 1289. On 3 July 1290, James of St George was appointed Constable of Harlech Castle, succeeding Sir John de Bevillard who had died in August 1287. He held this position until 14 December 1293.
His final Welsh castle was Beaumaris, on which work started in April 1295.
James of St George then joined Edward I in Scotland, probably around September 1298. In February 1302, James of St George was appointed to oversee to the new defences at Linlithgow
. He also worked at Stirling
(during the 1304 siege
).
There is no record of James's wife, Ambrosia, receiving a pension after his death, so it is probable she did not survive him.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
from Savoy
Savoy
Savoy is a region of France. It comprises roughly the territory of the Western Alps situated between Lake Geneva in the north and Monaco and the Mediterranean coast in the south....
responsible for designing many of Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
's castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
s, including Conwy
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is a castle in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales.It was built between 1283 and 1289 during King Edward I's second campaign in North Wales....
, Harlech
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle, located in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is a concentric castle, constructed atop a cliff close to the Irish Sea. Architecturally, it is particularly notable for its massive gatehouse....
and Caernarfon
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle is a medieval building in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. There was a motte-and-bailey castle in the town of Caernarfon from the late 11th century until 1283 when King Edward I of England began replacing it with the current stone structure...
(all begun in 1283) and Beaumaris
Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris Castle, located in the town of the same name on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, was built as part of King Edward I's campaign to conquer the north of Wales. It was designed by James of St. George and was begun in 1295, but never completed...
in Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
(begun 1295).
Early records seem to indicate that his father, Master John, was a master mason
Stonemasonry
The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...
who worked on castles in Savoy in the 1260s. The "St George" is believed to be a reference to the castle of Saint-Georges d'Espéranche, located southeast of Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
. Edward I probably met Master James of St George whilst visiting Savoy in 1273, but did not employ him until the late 1270s.
The earliest references in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
records to James of St George are found in 1278; he is referred to as an "ingeniator" (engineer) and "mazun" (mason). In 1278, he was recorded as travelling to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, at which time four new castles were being built: Flint
Flint Castle
Flint Castle located in Flint, Flintshire, was the first of a series of castles built during King Edward I's campaign to conquer Wales.The site was chosen for its strategic position in North East Wales...
, Rhuddlan
Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277 following the First Welsh War.-Construction:Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle...
, Builth and Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth Castle
Aberystwyth Castle is an Edwardian fortress located in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales that was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward I's first Welsh campaign at the same time as work started at Flint, Rhuddlan and Builth...
. The records indicate that he was master mason at Flint and Rhuddlan between 1278 and 1282.
He was appointed Master of the Royal Works in Wales ("magister operacionum in Wallia") around 1285, drawing a wage of 3s a day.
Harlech Castle, begun in 1283, was effectively completed in 1289. On 3 July 1290, James of St George was appointed Constable of Harlech Castle, succeeding Sir John de Bevillard who had died in August 1287. He held this position until 14 December 1293.
His final Welsh castle was Beaumaris, on which work started in April 1295.
James of St George then joined Edward I in Scotland, probably around September 1298. In February 1302, James of St George was appointed to oversee to the new defences at Linlithgow
Linlithgow Palace
The ruins of Linlithgow Palace are situated in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, west of Edinburgh. The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs left for England in 1603, the...
. He also worked at Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
(during the 1304 siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
).
There is no record of James's wife, Ambrosia, receiving a pension after his death, so it is probable she did not survive him.