The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Buttercrambe Castle granted on 1201 March 2

Original source is;

Hardy, T.D. (ed.), 1837, Rotuli Chartarum in Turri Londinensi asservati 1199-1216 (Record Commission) p. 89b
Stubbs, W. (ed),1868, Chronica Magistri Rogeri de Houedene (London) Vol. 4 p. 117 - dated 1200
Roger de Hoveden (Translated by Riley, Henry T.,) 1853, The Annals of Roger Hoveden Vol. 2 p. 482 (c. 1200) online copy

(In fact, the original source given is usually a transcription/translation of what are precious medieval documents not readily availably. It should be noted that these transcription/translations often date to the nineteenth or early twentieth centuries and that unwitting bias of transcribers may affect the translation. Care should also be taken to avoid giving modern meaning to the medieval use of certain stock words and terms. Licentia is best translated as 'freedom to' not 'permission'.)

Significant later sources are;

Coulson, C., 1994, 'Freedom to Crenellate by Licence - An Historiographical Revision' Nottingham Medieval Studies Vol. 38 p. 106n55
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 536n10

Stuteville, William de (d. 1203)

Stuteville, William de (d. 1203) Sheriff of Yorkshire and other northern counties.

'Late in Henry II's reign Stuteville began his occasional service as a royal justice and he went on to serve the governments of both Richard and John in a variety of tasks. At the beginning of Richard I's reign he was sheriff of Northumberland for half a year (1189–90) and in 1191 he served as sheriff of Lincolnshire for a short time. During Richard's absence on crusade he was a strong supporter of William de Longchamp until the latter's fall. In 1193, during John's rebellion, Stuteville helped Geoffrey, archbishop of York, to fortify the castle at Doncaster, but refused to help him besiege one of John's castles, saying that he was John's man. This notable piece of equivocation paid off once John came to the throne, for Stuteville, with the help of a number of large proffers became sheriff of Northumberland (1199–1200), Yorkshire (1200–02), Westmorland (1200–02), and Cumberland (1199–1203), and obtained custody of various royal boroughs, castles, and manors. Stuteville received rich rewards for his services to the crown.' (Thomas)

Biographical source include;

Hugh M. Thomas, 2004, ‘Stuteville, William de (d. 1203)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online copy (subscription may be needed)

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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