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| Page revised: Wed 07-Feb-2007 |
Corps History - Part 1 |
| Historically the Corps of Royal Engineers claim direct descent from William the Conqueror's Military Engineers who at the time of the invasion in 1066 were directed by Humphrey de Tilleaul. He is depicted in the Bayeaux Tapestry supervising the construction of a fort, transported by sea from Normandy in pre-fabricated sections. |
 Bishop Gundulf (?-1108) |
From the outset the Normans used a 'shock and awe' strategy to subjugate the native peoples of Britain. 'Shock' in the ferocity of their troops and 'awe' in the pomp of their lieutenants and in the edifices erected by their engineers. One of the most famous of those edifices is the White Tower (1078), now part of the Tower of London. The tower was designed by one of the King's Engineers, Gundulf (sometimes spelt: Gundulph), a monk who also rose through the hierarchy of the church to become Bishop of Rochester (1077-1108). |
Feudal levies supplied skilled craftsmen to construct the King's castles. By the time of Richard I (1189-99) the King's Engineers and their skilled levies had gained a reputation of being among the finest castle builders in Christendom, building castles in both England and France. Their renown stemmed from their innovations in design and their craftsmanship; they introduced the concept of building a series of barriers to form a coherent defence system. |
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A hundred years later Edward I (1272-1307) used the construction of strategically sited castles as part of his strategy to conquer and rule Wales. The castles were designed and constructed under the guidance of the King's Engineers, in particular Master James of St George, who enjoyed the title of 'Master of the King's Works in Wales'. In medieval times of war King’s Engineers were responsible for designing and organising the building of siege engines such as; belfries (wooden movable siege towers), catapults (engines worked by a lever and rope to discharge darts, stones etc.) and trebuchets (engines for casting heavy missiles using a sling). |
 Conwy Castle, North Wales was designed for Edward I by Master James of St. George and built between 1283-89 (Photo: unknown) |
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They also directed the feudal levies used as labour to build roads, effect river crossings, (Edward I had a bridge of boats built to cross the Menai Straits between North Wales and Anglesey), and to dig mines to undermine the foundations of the walls of besieged castles. |
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We also know that in 1346 Edward III (1327-77) took with him, on his expedition to France, experienced miners from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and instructed Andrew, the Smith of the Tower to select smiths and other artificers to accompany the expedition, an action that can be seen as a precursor to the raising of the 'Ordnance Trains' in the 15th century. |
Author: SC Fenwick, FoREM Sources:
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Royal Engineers Museum main site
