The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Stevington Castle granted on 1281 Aug 2

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In 1281 Aug 2, Baldewinus Wake (Baldwin Wake) was granted, by Edward I, (In year 9 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Styventon [Stiventon] (Stevington Castle)

Granted at Eastwood.

Comments

Licence to crenellate issued 1281 but Baldwin died shortly afterwards and it seems probably that little work was done although he did leave an adult son.
However, here a dower house seems to have been dressed up with features of noble status fit for a granddaughter of an earl and a prince.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1901, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1272-81) p. 453 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;

Page, Wm (ed), 1912, 'Parishes: Stevington', VCH Bedfordshire Vol. 3 p. 100-04
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 279-80, 403 online copy

Baldwin Wake, knight (d. 1282)

Baldwin Wake, knight (d. 1282) had been a rebellious baron under Henry III and was taken prisoner by Lord Edward at the siege of Kenilworth in 1265. The main seat of the Wakes at this time seems to have been at Bilsworth, Northamptonshire but they also had lands in Yorkshire and Bedfordshire. Baldwin's father Hugh Wake of Liddell, Sheriff of Yorkshire, died in Jerusalem about 1241 and various online genealogies gives a year of birth between 1236-8, which seems probable. His son John was to become Lord Wake Liddell in 1295.
'1264, when Stevington Manor passed to Hadwisa wife of Baldwin Wake, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Robert de Quincy. Baldwin Wake died in 1281–2, leaving a son John, and in 1284 Hadwisa Wake rendered feudal service for Stevington.' (VCH)
Hawisa de Quincy (c. 1250-c. 1295) dau Robert de Quincy, Lord of Ware (younger son of the 1st Earl of Winchester) and Helen ap Llywelyn (dau of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince of North Wales).

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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