Licence to crenellate facts for kids

A licence to crenellate was a special permission given by the king in medieval England, Wales, and the Channel Islands. It allowed someone to build fortifications, like battlements (the notched walls on top of castles), on their property. These licences were usually given by the king himself. Sometimes, powerful local rulers, like the Bishops of Durham or the Earls of Chester, could also grant them in their own areas.

People received these licences from the 12th century to the 16th century. Most of these official permissions were recorded in special government documents called Patent Rolls starting from 1199. A licence was like a public announcement, showing that the king had given his approval. When there were wars or conflicts, more licences were usually given out. It was rare for the king to charge money for these licences, and if he did, it was only a small amount.

Most people who received permission to build fortifications were knights, not the very highest-ranking nobles. While most applicants were individuals, towns could also apply to build defences. About 28 licences were for town walls. Even though most licences went to men, some women were also granted them. Churches, abbeys, and cathedrals also received licences, with 44 relating to religious buildings.

Why Fortify? Understanding Licences

Historians have debated why these licences were needed. In the 19th century, the term "licence to crenellate" was created because many documents mentioned "crenellations," which are the gaps and raised parts of a battlement.

More Than Just Defence

Some historians believed that the king used these licences to control how many strong castles could be built. This would prevent powerful lords from building forts that could be used against the king's army. However, a more modern idea, suggested by Charles Coulson, is that battlements became a symbol of importance. Having a licence and battlements showed everyone that you were a powerful and important person. It was like a fancy architectural statement of your high social rank.

There are over 1,500 castles in England, but only about 460 licences have been found, covering just over 500 sites. This suggests that not everyone needed a licence to build a fortified home. Also, requests for licences were almost never turned down. Getting a licence showed that the king recognized and complimented your status.

Cooling Castle: A Show of Strength

Cooling Castle in Kent is a good example. It has a brass plaque from 1381 on its outer gatehouse that says, "I am made in the help of the country." However, some experts believe the castle's defences were not very practical. For instance, there wasn't much room for soldiers to stand on the walls, and the gunports were not well-designed. This suggests the castle's strong appearance, and the licence itself, were more about showing off military importance than actual defence.

Even if not perfectly designed for war, castle defences could still scare away thieves or small groups of attackers. One historian, Philip Davis, compared battlements to modern CCTV cameras or burglar alarms that people put on their houses. Sometimes, these are just for show, but they still make potential criminals think twice.

See also

• List of licences to crenellate
• Adulterine castles, which were castles built without the king's permission.

Images for kids

• 

  The outer gatehouse of Cooling Castle, Kent, displays its licence to crenellate on a brass plaque (granted 1381).