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 and published in the Castle Studies Group Journal.. The list does not mention at present which ones he felt dubious 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. The ultimate source for the licences is the patent rolls, the contemporary chronological official records made of all letters patent issued by English monarchs, and published in modern times as "calendars of the patent rolls preserved in the Public Record Office".
Abbreviations (D) dubious (F) forgeries (R) rejected (P) pardons, being in effect retrospective licences (C) confirmations
1100s
1127 Jan, Archbishop William of Rochester (Rochester Castle). William de Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury. (F)1135-40 Abbas Sancti Augustini (St Augustine's Abbey). Either St Augustine's Abbey, Bristol, founded 1140, or St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury; (a forgery) 1141 July, Com Gaufredo Essexiae super Luiam ("on the River Lee") (South Mymms Castle)?. Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex. 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 1142, William, Earl of Lincoln, Gainsborough (Castle Hills, Thonock, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire). William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Lincoln and 1st Earl of Arundel (D)1143 Roger de Conyers, Bishopton Castle Hill (a supposed licence issued by the Palatinate of DurhamQuoted e.g. by Hull, Lise E. (2006) Britain's Medieval Castles. p.128) 1146 Rannulfum comitem Cestr., tower in Lincoln Castle. Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester. 1153, Rodberto filio Hard(ingi); Betthone (Berkelai) (Robert Fitzharding, Berkeley Castle) 1166-1180, William de Mandeville, Pleshey Castle. William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex 1194 Ricardo de Vernone, Heddon (Haddon Hall); Licence to build un-crenellated wall 1195, Hugh de Say, Bleddfa Castle, Llangunllo, Powys, Wales. 1199, Richard Malebisse, Queldric [Wheldrake], Storwood, Yorks.; revoked
1200s
1200, William Briwerr, "in whichever Devon property he wishes" (?Axminster,? Buckland Brewer etc.). William Brewer. 1200, William Briwerr, Esleg (Ashley Castle (alias Gains Castle), Ashley, Hants.) 1200, Bishop Geoffrey Muschamp, Eccleshall Castle, Geoffrey de Muschamp, Bishop of Coventry. 1200/1, Henry son of Hervey son of Acaris, Cudereston (Cotherstone Castle, Durham). Henry FitzHervey. (D)1200, William Briwerr, Stoke (Stokebridge), dubious 1201, Hugh de Morville, Kirkoswald Castle, Cumbria. Hugh de Morville, Lord of Westmorland 1201, Alan de Hertiland, Hartland Castle. Hartland, DevonChope, History of the Manor of Hartland 1201, William d'Estoteville, Bossal (Buttercrambe Castle, N. Yorks.) 1201, William d'Estoteville, Totingham (Baynard Castle, Cottingham, Yorks.) William de Stuteville 1203, Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire 1204 May 27, Thom. de Burgo, Leleshay (Lindsey Castle (alias The Mounts), Babergh, Suffolk; Thomas de Burgh. 1215, Burgesses, Stafford Town (Borough Charter) 1221, Fulk FitzWarin, Whittington Castle, Shropshire 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) 1230 Nov 28, H. de Burgo, comiti Kancie et Marga-rete uxori sue, Hatheleg; Hadleg (Hadleigh Castle). "to Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent and to Margaret his wife" 1231 May 21, Roberto de Tatteshal, (?Tattershall Castle, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire?) 1235 Jan 19, William Earl de Ferrers, Leverepul (Liverpool Castle) (permission to strengthen his castle). William de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby 1252-3, Norwici (Norwich City Wall) 1252 Feb 21, Burgessess, Gannoc (Degannwy Town) 1253 July 5, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, on the hill above his manor of Mere (Castle Hill, Mere, Wiltshire). Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall 1257 Dec 12, Adomar Winton, the king's brother, Insulam de Portand (Rufus Castle, Isle of Portland); Aymer de Valence 1258 Nov 4, Johannes Maunsell, Thesaurarius Ebor Seggewik (Sedgwick Castle, Sedgwick, West Sussex). John Maunsell, Treasurer of York. 1259 Feb 7, Richardus de Clare, Comes Gouc. et Hertford, Portlaund (Isle of Portland). Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester and 5th Earl of Hertford. 1259 Nov 7, Richard de Clare, Manhale (Manhale, Saffron Walden, Essex) 1259 Nov 7, Richard de Clare, Southwaude (Southwold Castle, Suffolk) 1259 Dec 19, Richard de Clare, Suwald (Southwold Town Defences, Suffolk) 1259 Dec 20, Richard (de Clare), Tonebrugg (Tonbridge Town Defences) 1260 Dec 18, Marmaducus, filius Galfri, Horden (Horden Hall, Horden, Durham). Marmaduke FitzGeoffrey 1261 Aug 14, Robert de Sancto Johanne, Basing (Basing House, Basingstoke, Hampshire). Robert St John. 1261 Sep 28, Burgesses Gernemuth (Great Yarmouth Town Wall) 1262 Feb 5, Roger de Sancto Johanne, Lageham in Walkested (Lagham Manor). Roger St John. 1262 Mar 15, Johannes Mannsell, Thesaurarius Ebor Seggewik [Seggewyk] (Sedgwick Castle). John Maunsell, treasurer of York. 1262 Aug 16, Robert de Twenge. His house at Bergh (Bergh Castle) 1264 Feb 22 Robert Aguylon, Percinges (Perching Manor House) 1264 Feb 23 Ralph de Bakepuz, Ceddre (Cheddar Palace) 1264 Feb 28 Ricardus Foliot, Grymeston (Jordon Castle, Wellow). Richard Foliot 1264 Feb 28 Ellis de Rabayn, Waylim (C)1264 March 9 Ricardus Foliot, Grimestone (Jordan Castle, Wellow). Confirmation 1264 March 16 Robert Aguilun, Porting'es' (Perching Manor House) 1264 March 16 Rogerus de Summary, Welegh. (Weoley Castle) 1264 March 16 Rogerus de Summary, Duddeleg (Dudley Castle) 1264 Aug 20 Johannes de Eyvill, La Hode (Hood Castle) 1266 April 9 Henricus Husee, Hertinge (Harting Moat) 1266 Oct 22 Warinus de Bassingburn, Esteleye (Astley Castle) 1266 Oct 22 Warinus de Bassingburn, Bassingburn (Bassingbourne) 1267 Feb 7 Robert de Ros de Beverlac, Belver (Belvoir Castle) 1267 Feb 25 William le Moyne, Ogre (Moigne Court, Owermoigne); Licence to build uncrenellated wall 1267 Dec 5 Johannes Cumyn, Tyrsete (Tarset Castle) 1268 Bishop Godfrey Giffard (Hartlebury Castle); Not enrolled in Patent Rolls. 1268 Feb 8 Robertus Aguylum, Perting [Percinges] (Perching Manor House) 1269 Nov 22 Robertus Aguillu, Adington (Addington Castle Hill) 1270 July 25 Thomas de Furnivall, Shefeld. (Sheffield Castle) 1271 Jan 17 Stephanus de Penecestr, Hevre (Hever Castle) 1271 June 9 Willielmus Belet, Marham (Marham Castle) 1271 Oct 20 Godfrey, Bishop of Worcester, houses within his close of Worcester (Bishops Palace, Worcester) 1271 Oct 20 Godfrey, Bishop of Worcester, Widindon (Withington) 1272 March 1 W(illiam). Archbishop of York, Cawode (Cawood castle) 1275 Nov 7 Willielmus de Cavereswell, Cavereswell (Caverswall Castle) 1276 May 8 Hugo Episcopus Elien Ditton (Biggin Abbey Bishops Palace) 1276 May 15 Johannes Bek, Eresby (Eresby Manor) Revoked 1276 Aug 6 Johannes Bek, Eresby (Eresby Manor) 1277 Dec 28 burgesses, Lanbadar (Aberystwyth town) 1281 May 23 Antonius Bek, Somerton (Somerton Castle, Lincolnshire) 1281 May 25 Stephanus de Penecestre et Margareta uxor eius Alinton (Allington Castle). "Stephen de Penecestre and Margaret his wife". 1281 Aug 2 Baldewinus Wake, Styventon [Stiventon] (Stevington Castle) 1284 Jan 28 Robertus Burnell, Episcopus Bathon, et Wellen. Acton Burnell (Acton Burnell Castle). Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath & Wells. (D)1284 Nov 24 Walter Hackelutel, castle in Elvayl Huchmenyt (Aberedw Castle) (dubious) 1285 Jan 1 Th. Episcopus Meneven (Thomas Bishop of St David's), Plesele (Pleasley) 1285 May 8 Dean and Chapter Lincoln Cathedral Close 1286 March 15 Robert, Bishop of Bath and Wells, cathedral church of Wells and the precinct (Wells Cathedral Precinct) 1290 Aug 28 Willielmus le Vavasour, Heselwode (Hazlewood Castle, Aberford) 1290 Oct 30 Petrus Episcopus Exon., his Exeter house (Exeter Episcopal Palace and Cathedral Close). Peter, Bishop of Exeter. 1291 Sept 20 Brianus filius Alani, Kilwardeby (Killerby Castle). Brian FitzAlan. 1291 Oct 19 Laurenc. de Ludelawe, [Lodelawe] Stoke-say [Stok Say] (Stokesay Castle) 1291 Nov 11 Johannes, Archiepiscopus Ebor. Parva Cumpton (Little Compton). John, Bishop of York. 1292 May 3 Willielmus de Grandisono, Asperton (Ashperton Castle). William de Grandison. 1292 June 20 Willielmus de Bello Campo, Comes Warr. (William de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick)Hamslape (Castle Thorpe) 1292 Dec 28 Gwyschardus de Charrum, Horton (Horton Castle, Blyth) 1293 Feb 22 Robertus de Percy, Sutton (St Lois)Duplicate entry Feb 23 1293 Feb 22 Robertus de Percy, Boulton (Bolton Percy) 1293 June 15 Hugo de Frene, Mockes (Moccas Castle) 1293 June 21 Edmundus, Frater Regis le Sauvey (Peter brother of the king, Savoy Palace) 1294 April 20 Rogerus le Bigod, Comes Norff., Bungeye (Bungay Castle). Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. 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)
1300s
1300 Johannes de Hastings, Ansley Castle, Warwickshire 1301 Jan 1 W. Coventr. et Lych., Episcopus Thorp Watervill (Thorpe Waterville Castle) 1301 Feb 2 Johannes de Hastings, Filungeleye (Fillongley Castle Yard) 1301 March 19 Johannes de Segrave, Breteby (Bretby Castle) 1302 Feb 16 Willielmus de Hamelton, decanus ecclesiae Beati Petri Ebor., Ebor (York Deanery) 1303 Jan 30 Ranulpus de Fryskeneye, Friskeneye (Friskney Hall) 1303 Oct 20 Gerardus Salvayn, Herssewell in Spaldingmor. (Harswell, Everingham) 1304 Jan 30 Thomas le Latymer, Braybrok(Braybrooke Castle) 1304 June 9 Jacobus de la Plaunche, Haveresham (Haversham Manor) 1304 Nov 22 Johannes Lovel de Tichemersh, Tichemersh (Titchmarsh Castle) 1305 Feb 2 Johannes de Segrave, senior, Caluedon (Caludon Castle) 1305 April 5 Robertus de Reynes, Eydon (Aydon Castle) 1305 April 5 Robertus de Reynes, Shortflat (Shortflatt Tower) 1305 June 19 W. Covent. et Lych., Episcopus manso suo in parochia Sanctae Mariae (House in Parish of St. Mary atte Stronde, London) 1305 Oct 3 Willielmus Servat, civis et mercator (Citizen and merchant), London, Servats Tower, Bucklesbury (Servats Tower, London) 1306 Sept 10 The master and brethren of the Knights Templars, la Bruere (Temple Bruer Preceptory) 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) 1307 Aug 24 Ricardus le Brun, Drombogh (Drumburgh Castle) 1307 Aug 24 Willielmus de Dacre, Dunmalloght (Dunmalloght Pele) 1307 Aug 24 Robertus de Tylliol, Scaleby (Scaleby Castle)