Edward's return from crusade in 1273 brought a dynastic meeting with Philip I, Count of Savoy. Philip was Edward's great-nephew and needed to pay homage, so the visit joined family ties with feudal obligation. Philip also had several castles under construction, with James already running or heavily involved in the work. Edward could therefore judge the builder through visible engineering performance. The contact did not produce an immediate move because Edward had no Welsh castle program underway, but James appears in Wales in 1278 as a works coordinator. The sequence shows recruitment through dynastic networks, political obligation, patronage, and demonstrated technical ability.
Chapter · 6:22-8:59
Edward I spots a Savoy castle builder
Edward I's visit to receive Philip of Savoy's homage also exposed him to the castle work that would bring James to Wales.