Approximate Date of Birth - 1230
Place of Birth - Lake Neuchatel, Savoy
Savoy was situated on the Swiss-Italian-French border
Father - Also an architect with whom Master James initially worked for
Benefactor of Master James of St George - Count Peter II of Savoy (1203-1268) - King Edward's uncle)
Master James built Chillon and Villeneuve Castles and several other palaces for Count Peter II
Master James also built the Medieval town of Yverdon for Count Peter
The masterpiece Castle built by Master James for Count Peter was at St Georges d'Esperance
Master James took his title as ' Master James of St Georges d'Esperance'
Master James had his own business and worked for Count Peter between 1261 and 1277
King Edward I employed Master James in 1277
Master James worked for King Edward until his death for nearly thirty years
Master James was married to a woman called Ambrosia
James worked on King Edward's castles in England, Scotland and Wales
Master James built the castle to palatial standards. Castles built prior to his work were cold, dark and miserable
He was a Master builder, Architect and Siege Engineer
He also built churches
Master James favoured the defensive concentric style for the castles described as "walls within walls"
James was well educated and noted for keeping accurate accounts
King Edward's castle building plans were highly ambitious and demanded massive amounts of money. In February 1296 Master James was forced to write to the Exchequer in which he detailed the progress of the building of Beaumaris Castle. He added this Postscript "Sir, for God's sake be quick with the money for the works, as much as ever our Lord the King wills - otherwise everything we have done up to now will have been of no avail"
In this same letter Master James made mention of the hostile Welshmen who made working conditions difficult and went on to detail the labour requirements he needed to complete the castle:
Beaumaris Castle was never completely finished - the cost of the castle was £14,000
It is estimated that the castles cost over £80,000 and bankrupted England
Master James helped King Edward to build ten new castles in Wales:
Bulith
Aberystwyth
Flint
Rhuddlan
Ruthin
Hope
Conwy
Harlech
Carmathen
Beaumaris
Master James of St George was paid three shilling per day in wages - a huge salary during the Medieval era
He was allowed to lease Royal manors at just a nominal rent
His permanent home was at a manor in North-East Wales
The life of Master James of St George was important. Various titles were conferred on him including " Master of the Kings Works in Wales ". He was also given the role of Constable of Harlech. He was a powerful man and a very wealthy man.
He served King Edward until the old King died in 1307
Master James of St George died one year later in 1308
