Caernarfon was besieged three times during the civil wars. The term Wars of the Three Kingdoms acknowledges Welsh, Scottish, and Irish involvement alongside the fighting in England. In 1660 an order called for the castle and town walls to be dismantled, but the work never began. The explanation offered is that destroying such an important post could undermine government authority in Wales and damage Welsh pride. Escaping slighting left substantial fabric available for later repair.
Chapter · 46:33-47:32
Why Caernarfon escaped slighting after the civil wars
Three civil-war sieges and a dismantling order in 1660 left Caernarfon standing because its political importance weighed against destruction.