The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Perching Manor House granted on 1268 Feb 8

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In 1268 Feb 8, Robertus Aguylum (Robert Aguillon) was granted, by Henry III, (In year 52 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Perting [Percinges] (Perching Manor House)

Licence for Robert Aguillon and his heirs to enclose the manse of his manor {mansum manerii sui} of Percinges, co. Sussex, with a ditch and a wall of stone and lime and to fortify and crenellate it. (CPR)

Robertus Aguylum ... mansum manerii sui ... Perting, Sussex. (Turner and Parker)

The king to all persons, &c., greeting— Know that we have granted on behalf of ourseIves and our heirs to our beloved and faithful Robert Aguillon, and his heirs, that they may inclose and fortify the manse of their manor of Percing, in the County of Sussex, with a foss and wall of stone and lime, and krenellate it at their pleasure, and hold it so fortified and krenellated for ever, without penalty or impediment from us or our said heirs. In witness whereof, &c. Witness the king at Westminster, on the 18th day of February. (Pat. 52 Hen, IIL, m. 27.) (Blaauw)

Comments

licensed 1264, 1268, 1329. King writes "Presumably the changes in government of this period give the reason for these extraordinarily cautious operations." Coulson cites the anxieties of the onset, hostilities and aftermath of the Barons' War of 1254-5 as a factor in the 1268 repeat.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1913, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1266-72) p. 189 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;

King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 479n53
Blaauw, William Henry, 1861, ' Royal Licenses to Fortify Towns and Houses in Sussex' Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol. 13 p. 107 online copy
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 403 online copy

Robert Aguillon, (1226-1285) knight. Sheriff of Sussex

Robert Aguillon, (1226-1285) knight. Sheriff of Sussex. Steward of the Royal Household. Married Margaret, countess of the Isle of Wight.
Did the existence of his powerful and quarrelsome neighbour, William de Warenne, provoke the need for fortification. Robert had problem's with de Warenne's men in his lands in 1274, but well before this de Warenne had a reputation to being quick to violence. Equally his important royal positions and noble wife would be reason for asserting his social status.

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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