The following is a list of licences to crenellate, surviving in the records, issued from the 12th to 16th centuries, which was compiled by the amateur historian Philip Davis[1] and published in the Castle Studies Group Journal.[2] A few supposed licences sometimes quoted in other sources were questioned by Davis as dubious, deemed forgeries or were rejected entirely, but were still included in his list suitably qualified.
Abbreviations
(D) dubious
(F) forgeries
(R) rejected
(P) pardons, being in effect retrospective licences
1141 July, Com Gaufredo Essexiae unum castellum ubicumque voluerit in terra sua ("a castle anywhere he wishes in his lands"). Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex
1227 Jan 30, New Sarum "Richard, bishop of the same place, to his successors, to the canons of this church, and to their men" (Salisbury City Defences). Richard Poore, Bishop of Salisbury
1227 Feb 13, Burgesses, Mungumery (Montgomery Town Defences)
1227 Aug 17, Henrico de Aldithele, Radeclif (Red Castle, Hawkstone, Shropshire). Henry de Audley.
(P)1229 July 29, Mauritio de Gaunt, Beverestan (Beverstone Castle); Pardon. Maurice de Gaunt.
1230/31, Will. de Cavereswelle, Cavereswelle (Caverswall Castle, Staffordshire)
1294 May 11 Johannes de Cokefeld, Melton (Stonehall Manor, Moulton)
1294 Dec 6 Abbas de Hales [abbot and convent] Hales (Halesowen).
1295 Aug 10 Ricardus de Peulesdon, Warandashale (?Wardale)
1296 Sept 5 Prior et Conventus de Tynemuth Tynemuth (Tynemouth Priory)
1298 Aug 21 Johannes de Cadamo, domos suas quas habet infra clausum Ebor. ecclesi ("John of Caen, his house which he hold within the close of York Church"), York Cathedral Close)
1299 April 20 W. Coventr. et Lych., Episcopus Lichefeld (Lichfield Cathedral Close). W, Bishop of Lichfield.
1299 Aug 8 Johannes de Wylington, Yate (Yate Court), Glos.
(D)Late C13 John Gervase, Chideock Castle (dubious)
1306 Sept 16 Walterus de Langton, Coventr. et Lych., Episcopus, Asheby David (Castle Ashby, The Castle)
1306 Sept 16 Walterus de Langton, Coventr. et Lych., Episcopus, Beudesert (Beaudesert Hall)
1306 Sept 16 Walterus de Langton, Coventr. et Lych., Episcopus alibi per omnia loca quae idem episcopus habet in Anglia (or elsewhere in England, wherever he holds)
1307 April 24 Mathias de Monte Martini manse of Burn [Burne] (Westbourne)
1315 March 12 Ranulpus de Albo Monasterio (de Blancmuster or de Whitchurch)("made at the request of the venerable father W. bishop of Exeter") Inor/Ivor (Ennor Castle)
1315 May 3 Adomarus de Valencia, Comes Pembroch, (Earl of Pembroke), Bampton (Bampton Ham Court)
1315 May 28 Robertus de Keleseye, civis London(iensis), Westchepe (West Cheapside, London)
1315 Aug 28 |Thomas, Comes Lancastriae, (Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster|Thomas, Earl of Lancaster]]), Dunstanburgh (Dunstanburgh Castle)
1325 Sept 14 Johannes de Cherleton, domum suam in villa de ... Salop ("his house in the town of..., Salop.), (Charlton House, Shrewsbury)
(D)1327 Willielmus, Episcopus Norwich(iensis), palatium (Bishops Palace, Norwich)[8]
(C)1327 March 5 The burgesses Kingston-upon-Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull Town Wall), Confirmation
1327 March 6 Thomas Wake, dilectus consanguineus et fidelis noster ("Our favoured and faithful cousin"), Cotingham (Baynard Castle, Cottingham)
1327 June 18 Thomas West, Rugh Combe (Rugh Combe)
1327 June 23 Johannes de Patshull, Bletnesho (Bletsoe)
1327 July 10 Alanus de Cherleton, Wycheford (Withyford)
1327 July 10 Alanus de Cherleton, Appeleye (Apley Castle)
1327 Aug 31 Decanus et Capitulum Ecclesiae Beatae Mariae (Dean and Chapter of the Church of the Blessed Mary) at the request of our beloved chaplain, Walter de London, our almoner, Sarum (Salisbury Cathedral Close)
1327 Sept 26 Abbas et Conventus de Fourneys (Abbot and Convent of (Fotheray in) Fourneys (Piel Castle, Furness)
1327 Oct 7 Edmundus de Bereford, dilectus clericus noster (Our favoured priest), Langele (Langley)
1327 Oct 7 Johannes Wyard, dilectus vallettus noster ("Our favoured valet"), Staunton Harecourt (Stanton Wyard)
1327 Oct 23 Abbas et Conventus Sancti Benedicti de Hulm, St Benet Holme (St Benets Abbey, Holme)
(R)1328 Ricardus de Merton, Torriton (Torrington Castle, Great Torrington)
1328 April 12 R. The Bishop, the Canons and the citizens of New Salisbury (Salisbury City Defences)
1328 Sept 16 Simon de Drayton, Drayton (Drayton House)
1329 Jan 25 Willielmus le Caleys (Galeys), Walle (Wall, Herefordshire)
1329 Jan 25 Robertus de Arden (Ardern), Perthyng (Perching Manor House)
1329 Jan 25 Robertus de Arden (Ardern) Dratton (Drayton)
(P)1329 Aug 31 William de Montacute, Doneyate (Park Farm Moat, Donyatt), Pardon
1329 Sept 28 Episcopus Lincoln(iensis), palatium suum in civitate Lincoln (Bishops Palace, Lincoln)
1329 Sept 30 Thomas Tregoz, Dachesam (Dedisham)
1341 Date unclear John Pulteney, Cheveley (Cambridgeshire)
1440 Oct 13, Laurence Hammerton, Helefeld (Hellifield Peel)
1441 Feb 5, Roger Fenys, Hurst Monceux (Herstmonceux Castle)
1442 May 5, John de Cartyngton, Cartyngton (Cartington Castle)
1443 July 7, Andrew Ogard, knight, John Clyfton, knight, John Fastoff, knight and William Oldehall, knight, Robert Whityngham, esquire, and William Roys: Rye, otherwise called the Isle of Rye in Stanstead Abbots (Rye House, Stanstead Abbots)
1446 Nov 16, John Pury, Chambirehous (Chamberhouse)
1447 April 24, Thomas Daniell, king's squire, Ridon (Roydon Hall)
1447 May 26, Richard, Duke of York, Honesdon (Hunsdon House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Cakham (Cakeham Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Alyngbourne (Aldingbourne)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Amburley (Amberley Castle)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Drungewyk (Drungewick Manor, Loxwood)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Byxhill (Bexhill Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Bruyll (Broyle Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Ferrying (Ferring Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Preston (Preston Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Sellsey (Selsey Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, Bishop of Chichester, Tyryscherch (Turzes Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, bishop of Chichester, Sidlisham (Sidlesham Manor House)
1447 Oct 28, Adam, bishop of Chichester, Westwythtryng (West Wittering Manor House)
1448 Jan 20, John Norys, Yattingden, Wele and Firmsham (Yattendon Manor)
1448 Dec 10, Thomas Browne, king's squire, Tonford (Tonford Manor, Thanington Without)
1448 Dec 10, Thomas Browne, king's squire, Bettisworth (Betchworth Castle)
1448 Dec 10, Thomas Browne, king's squire, Egethorne (Eythorne, Kent)
1448 Dec 10, Thomas Browne, king's squire, Kyngesnoth (Kingsnorth, Kent)
1448 Dec 10, Thomas Browne, king's squire, Tonge (Tonge Castle, Kent)
1449 June 26, Robert Botyll, Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, Aycle (Eagle Preceptory)
1451 Mar 22, Thomas, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Wells (Wells Bishops Palace and Cathedral Close)
1457 Dec 7, John Wolf, Kentysbery (Kentisbury Barton)
(P)1458 May 5, Ralph Botiller, knightt, lord of Sudeley, More (The More, Rickmansworth);Pardon
(P)1458 May 5, Ralph Botiller, knt, lord of Sudeley, Sudeley (Sudeley);Pardon
1459 Dec 11, Thomas Fitz William, Malberthorpe (Mablethorpe)
1460 Sept 11, Richard Beauchamp, Estenore (Bronsil Castle)
(P)1462, Alan [Adam] Morland, parson of the Church of Redmershulle, Redmershulle (Redmarshall Rectors Tower), Durham; Pardon
(C)1462 Jan 20, Mayor and burgesses of Pole, Pole (Poole Town Wall);Confirmation
(C)1462 July 1, Mayor, sheriffs and burgesses of the town of Kyngeston on Hull, (Kingston upon Hull Town Wall); Confirmation
1462 Sept 20, Thomas Gille, the younger, Esquire, Haicche Arundell (Hatch Manor House, Loddiswell)
1466 Oct 12, Thomas Cook, knight, Gydihall by Ramford (Gidea Hall)
1467 Jan 20, Henry Waver, knight, Thester Waver (Cesterover)
1469 May 2, Sir Thomas Pilkington, Bury (Bury Castle, Lancashire), Lancaster; licence
1469 July 3, Radulphus Wolseley, Wolseley (Wolseley Hall)
1470, Christopher Conyers, knight, Sokburn (Sockburn Castle); Durham licence
1473, William Verney, Fairfield House (Not enrolled)
1473 April 14, Richard Whetehille, esquire, Boughton (Boughton House)
1474 Feb 11, William Plompton, knight, Plompton (Plompton)
1474 April 17, William Hastynges, knight, lord of Hastynges, Assheby de la Zouche (Ashby De La Zouch Castle)
1474 April 17, William Hastynges, knight, lord of Hastynges Bagworth (Bagworth Manor), Bagworth and Thornton are probably the same place
1474 April 17, William Hastynges, knight, lord of Hastynges, Kerby (Kirby Muxloe Castle)
1474 April 17, William Hastynges, knight, lord of Hastynges, Slyngesby (Slingsby Castle)
1474 April 17, William Hastynges, knight, lord of Hastynges, Thorneton (Thornton, Leicestershire)As above
1474 May 28, Laurence, Bishop of Durham, Bryggecourt in the parish of Bateresey (Bridgecourt Manor, Battersea)
1477 March 5, John Holcot, esquire, Bradden (Bradden Manor)
1477 May 28, John Pylkington, knight, Turneham Hall (Thurnham Hall)
1477 May 28, John Pylkington, knight, Bradeley (Bradley Hall, Stainland)
1477 May 28, John Pylkington, knight, Elfletburgh (Elphaborough)
1477 May 28, John Pylkington, knight, Pylkyngton Hall (Pilkington in Wakefield)
1479 May 26, James Haryngton, knight, Farleton (Farleton Castle)
1479 May 26, James Haryngton, knight, Brereley (Brierley Hallsteads)
1479 Aug 15, Johannes Elrington, miles,(i.e. knight) Thesaurarius Hospitii Regis,(Treasurer of the Royal Hospital), Dixtherne (Great Dixter)
1479 Aug 15, Johannes Elrington, miles Thesaurarius Hospitii Regis, Udymere (Court Lodge, Udimore)
1480 July 14, William Gascoigne, knight, Gaukethorpe (Gawthorpe)
1482 July 3, Edmund Bedyngfeld, esquire, Oxburgh (Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough)
(D)1483, Philippe de Carteret, St Ouen's Manor, Jersey, dubious
(P)1484, John Kelyng, clerk, rector of the parish church of Houghton, Houghton le Spring Rectory; Durham Pardon
1487 Aug 10, Sir William Stanley, Hoton (Hooton Hall); Chester licence
1487 Oct 6, John Guldeford, knight, Brockle, parish of Crambroke (Brockley)
1487 Oct 6, John Guldeford, knight, Halden, parish of Rolvenden (Halden)
1487 Oct 6, John Guldeford, knight, Hertrigge, parish of Ebney (Hawridge)
1487 Oct 6, John Guldeford, knight, Tenterden, parish of Tenterden (Tenterden)
1487 Oct 6, Richard Guldeford, knight, Higham, alais Iham (Hiham)
1487 Oct 6, Richard Guldeford, knight, 'le Camber' (Camber), private coastal artillery fort
1490 Aug 2, Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, Green Hall in the parish of Garstang (Greenhalgh Castle);Lancaster licence
1491 Nov 8, Thomas, Earl of Ormonde, Newehall (New Hall, Boreham)
1495 Nov 5, Sir William Martyn, Adlampston in the parish of Pidelton (AthelhamptonHall)
1499 June 22, Richard Empson, Estneston (Easton Neston House)
1500s
1510 March 8, Robert Drury, Hausted Hall (Hawstead Hall)
1510 March 8, Robert Drury, Buknahams (Bokenhams, Bradenham)
1510 March 8, Robert Drury, Onhowshalle (Onehouse Hall)
1510 July 6, Edward, Duke of Buckingham, Thournebury (Thornbury Castle)
1512 Nov 8, John Spencer, Wormeleighton (Wormleighton Manor House)
1512 Nov 8, John Spencer, Olthorp (Althorp)
1515 June 30, Sir Peter Eggecombe, Estonehouse (Stonehouse Town Defences)
(C)1523 June 20, James Denton the Dean, Lichfield Cathedral Close; Confirmation
1531 Jan 22, Sir William Paulet, Master of the King's Wards, Basyng (Basing House)
1533 Jan 30, Sir William FitzWilliam, Cowdray (Cowdray House)
1536 Sept 21, a fraternity of 22 named men upon a hill there adapted for signals (TynemouthSouthern Tower), a fortified light-house
1536 Sept 21, a fraternity of 22 named men on the north side of "le Shelys" at the entry of the port (Tynemouth Northern Tower), a fortified light-house
(P)1542 Feb 18, Sir Thos. Wriothesley, one of the King's principal secretaries, Tychefeld (Titchfield); Pardon
1544 July 28, Sir Anthony Browne, K.G., Master of the Horse, within the site of the late mon. of Battle (Battle Abbey)
1546 Jan 31, Sir William Pagete, the King's Councillor, Burton (Burton Upon Trent Abbey)
1546 Jan 31, Sir William Pagete, the King's Councillor, Brysingote (Brizlincote Hall)
(P)1547 Sept 20, William Paulett, K.G., Lrd Seynt John, Letley (Netley Castle); Pardon; (a private coastal artillery fort)
(P)1551 Nov 20, William Petre, Ingat Stone alias Ging ad Petram (Ingatestone Hall); Pardon
1561 Nov 24, Christopher Heydon, knight, the queen's servant, Baconsthorpe (Baconsthorpe Castle)
1567 Oct 28, Lewis Grevell, Mylcote - Mountgrevell (Milcote Manor)
1589 June 5, Sir Moile Finche (Moyle Finch)Eastwell Manor
(D)1622 March 10, Ferdinand Huddleston, Millom Castle, dubious
^Philip Davis stated on his web-site "Gatehouse Gazetteer": [1] "I am not a professional historian and have no academic qualifications in the field so please take my site as the work of an amateur enthusiast. However, I do try to apply the highest academic standards to my work, including this site, and my research on licenses to crenellate has been published in the Castle Studies Group Journal"
^Davis, Philip (2006–2007), "English Licences to Crenellate: 1199-1567'"(PDF), The Castle Studies Group Journal, 20: 226–245. The list does not mention at present which ones he felt dubious
^Quoted e.g. by Hull, Lise E. (2006) Britain's Medieval Castles. p.128
^Licence for Aymer, {bishop} elect of Winchester, the king's brother, to strengthen the island of Portand, with stone and lime and to crenellate it like a castle, as he shall think most expedient. By King, in the presence of Edward his son, Henry son of the king of Almain, William de Valencia, John Maunsell, Hugh Bigod, Philip Lovel, Robert Walerand and others, and Peter de Monte Forti. (Calendar of Patent Rolls) Adomar Winton. electus possit kernellare ... insulam de ... Portland. (Turner and Parker)[2]
