List of licences to crenellate facts for kids

A "licence to crenellate" was a special permission given by the King in medieval England. It allowed someone to add battlements (the tooth-like tops of castle walls) to their home or building. This made the building look like a castle and also helped protect it.

This list of licences was put together by a historian named Philip Davis. He found these permissions in old government records called "patent rolls." These rolls were official records of all the special letters and permissions given out by English kings. Some licences mentioned in other books were found to be fake or questionable by Davis, but he still included them with a note.

Understanding the List: What Do the Notes Mean?

When you look at lists of these old permissions, you might see some letters next to them. Here's what they mean:

• (D) This means the licence is dubious or questionable. Historians aren't entirely sure if it's real.
• (F) This stands for forgeries. These are licences that were made up or faked.
• (R) This means the licence was rejected. It was found to be incorrect or not valid.
• (P) This is for pardons. Imagine someone built battlements without permission. A pardon was like a "get out of jail free" card, making their unauthorized building official after the fact.
• (C) This means confirmations. It's when an earlier permission was officially re-approved.

Why Were Licences to Crenellate Important?

In the Middle Ages, building a strong, fortified home was a big deal. It showed power and wealth. But it also meant you could defend yourself, or even rebel against the King! So, kings wanted to control who could build such strongholds.

Getting a licence to crenellate was a sign of the King's trust. It meant you were loyal and he allowed you to strengthen your property. It also helped the King keep track of potential threats. If someone built a castle without permission, it could be seen as a challenge to his authority.

These licences tell us a lot about who was important and powerful during different times in history. They show us where people were building strong homes and how towns were protecting themselves.

Early Permissions: The 1100s and 1200s

The earliest licences show that powerful people like archbishops, earls, and important lords were getting permission to fortify their homes or castles. For example:

• In 1127, the Archbishop of Rochester got permission for Rochester Castle.
• In 1146, Ranulf, Earl of Chester, was allowed to build a tower in Lincoln Castle.
• Later, in 1200, William Briwerr received permission for his properties in Devon.
• Many towns also got licences to build walls for protection, like Stafford in 1215 and Salisbury in 1227. This shows how important town defenses were.
• Sometimes, the King gave permission to important church leaders, like the Bishop of Worcester in 1271 for his palace.

Building Stronger: The 1300s

As time went on, more people, including wealthy citizens and merchants, started getting these licences. This shows that power wasn't just with the very top nobles anymore.

• In 1305, Robert de Reynes got permission for Aydon Castle.
• In 1311, Hugh le Despenser the Elder even got a licence for "all his dwelling-houses and chambers in his manors throughout the realm." This was a very broad permission!
• Towns continued to strengthen their defenses, like Kingston-upon-Hull in 1321.

Later Periods: The 1400s and 1500s

By the 1400s and 1500s, the need for these licences started to change. Gunpowder weapons were becoming more common, and traditional castle defenses were less effective. However, people still sought these permissions, sometimes for prestige or to update their homes.

• In 1441, Roger Fenys got a licence for Herstmonceux Castle, a beautiful brick castle.
• In 1474, William Hastynges, a powerful knight, got licences for several of his properties, including Ashby De La Zouch Castle.
• Even in the 1500s, people like Sir William Paulet in 1531 got permission for Basing House.
• Some later entries even mention fortified lighthouses, like those at Tynemouth in 1536, showing how fortifications adapted to new needs.