The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Pleasley granted on 1285 Jan 1

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In 1285 Jan 1, Th. Episcopus Meneven {St David's} (Thomas Bek) was granted, by Edward I, (In year 13 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Plesele (Pleasley)

Licence for Thomas, bishop of St. Davids, to strengthen with a wall of stone and lime, and crenellate his dwelling-house of Plesele, co. Derby. (CPR)

Th. Episcopus Meneven ... mansum ... Plesele, Derb. (Turner and Parker)

Comments

Thomas (I) Bek (d. 1293), bishop of St David's, Younger brother of John Bek, who was granted licence to crenellate his house at Eresby in 1276. Pleasley was an odd holding of the see of St David, a possible retreat in time of revolt in Wales so the licence may have had some function in confirming the ownership of what must have been a little used house. However, for Bishop Bek this house, near to the family seat and the licenced houses of his brothers, may have been intended to be used as much as his duties would allow.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1893 (reprint 1971), Calendar of Patent Rolls (1281-92) p. 150 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;

Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p. 167
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 403 online copy

Thomas (I) Bek (d. 1293), bishop of St David's

Thomas (I) Bek (d. 1293), bishop of St David's, Younger brother of John Bek, who was granted licence to crenellate his house at Eresby in 1276. Pleasley was an odd holding of the see of St David, a possible retreat in time of revolt in Wales so the licence may have had some function in confirming the ownership of what must have been a little used house (The house was close to the Bek family seat in Lincolnshire). Thomas did royal service and was keeper of the wardrobe but concentrated on his episcopal duties after 1280, although involved in the organisation of troops against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.

Biographical source include;

Philip Morgan, Sept 2004, ‘Bek family (per. c.1150–c.1350)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online edn, Jan 2008 online copy (subscription may be needed)

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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