The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Sedgwick Castle granted on 1262 March 15

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In 1262 March 15, Johannes Mannsell, Thesaurarius Ebor (John Mansell; Maunsell) was granted, by Henry III, (In year 46 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Seggewik [Seggewyk] (Sedgwick Castle)

Licence for John Maunsell, treasurer of York, to strengthen (firmare) his house of Seggewyk, with ditches and a wall of stone and lime and to crenellate and fortify (inforciare) his said house. (CPR)

Know that we have granted on behalf of ourselves and our heirs, to our beloved and faithful John Maunsell, Treasurer of York, that he nmay fortify his house of Seggewik, in the County of Sussex, with fosses and a wall of stone and lime, and krenellate and fortify it, as may seem to him and his most expedient, without contradiction or impediment from us or our heirs, or of any person or any other persons. In witness whereof, &c. Witness the King at Wyndesor, on the 15th day of March*" (Pat 46 Hen III., m. 13.) (Blaauw)

Comments

Licence to crenellate granted in 1258 and 1262. The work caused trouble locally hence the need to re-licence, although the Barons' War, just about to start, meant there were high levels of anxiety and caution. (see repeated licenses for Perching at this time)

The previous licence had been granted by 'the earls of Leicester and Gloucester and others of the council' so this may also be a 'political' re-grant direct from the king.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1910, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1258-66) p. 206 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;

Woodburn, Bill and Guy, Neil, 2005-6, 'Sedgewick Castle' Castle Studies Group Journal Vol 19 p. 75
Coulson, C., 1994, 'Freedom to Crenellate by Licence - An Historiographical Revision' Nottingham Medieval Studies Vol. 38 p. 130n135
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 478n46
Blaauw, William Henry, 1861, ' Royal Licenses to Fortify Towns and Houses in Sussex' Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol. 13 p. 106 online copy
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 402 online copy

Mansel, John (d. 1265)

Mansel, John (d. 1265), administrator and royal councillor, sometimes described as 'prime minister without portfolio', is said by Matthew Paris to have been the son of a country priest.

Biographical source include;

Robert C. Stacey, 2004, ‘Mansel, John (d. 1265)’ 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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