The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for West Cheapside, London granted on 1315 May 28

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In 1315 May 28, Robertus de Keleseye, civis London (Robert de Kelsey) was granted, by Edward II, (In year 8 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Westchepe (West Cheapside, London)

Licence for Robert de Keleseye, citizien of London, to crenellate his house in the street of Westchepe, London, standing on the north side of that street. By K. on the information of Robert Appelby. (CPR)

Robertus de Keleseye, civis London ... domum suam in vico de Westchepe, ex parte boriali ejusdem vici ... London, Midd. (Turner and Parker)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by King, on the information of Robert Appelby.

Comments

Westchepe was the western end of Cheapside. The licence states the house was on the north side of the street.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1313-17) p. 292 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;

Davis, Philip, 2010-11, 'Crenellated town houses in Medieval England' Castle Studies Group Journal Vol. 24 p. 270-91
Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol. 3 (Cambridge) p. 439
Coulson, C., 1995, 'Battlements and the Bourgeoisie: Municipal Status and the Apparatus of Urban Defence' in Church, Stephen (ed), Medieval Knighthood Vol. 5 (Boydell) p. 194n297
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 407 online copy

Robert de Kelleseye

"Robert de Kelleseye was a Pleader at the Courts of the Guildhall, but it appears he was also engaged in business. He was the creditor of a mercer for £4 in 1301 (LBB 110), and he acknowledged debts for considerable amounts to various merchants, thus in 1303 one to Aubrey de Dynaunt, merchant (ib. 129), in 1304 one of £100 to Nicholas Pycot and Peter de Sparham, mercers (ib. 137), in 1305–6 one of £5 to two Lucca merchants" (Ekwall)

Robert de Appleby, mentioned as king's clerk in Close Roll of 1315 (p. 302) but otherwise obscure.

Biographical source include;

Ekwall, Eilbert, 1951, 'Introduction chapter VI: assessments: 3: assessments in the subsidy of 1319' Two Early London Subsidy Rolls p. 104-15

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

Please do inform Gatehouse if you see any errors, can add information or can otherwise help to improve this resource. Please contact Gatehouse.