GATEHOUSE
The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
Home
The listings
Other Info
Books
Links
Downloads
Contact
 
Print Page 
 
Next Record 
Previous Record 
Back to list 
In 1337 Aug 30, Robert, Episcopus Sarum (Bishop Robert Wyvil) was granted, by Edward III, (In year 11 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Sonnyng (Sonning Bishops Palace)
Licence for Robert, bishop of Salisbury, to crenellate the dwelling-places of his manors of Salisbury, Wodeford Bishops, Shireburn, Cherdestok, Poterne, Cannyngges, Remmesbury and Sonnyng, and of the manor of Fletstrete, London. By p.s. (CPR)

Robert, Episcopus Sarum ... mansum manerii ... Sonnyng, Berks. (Turner and Parker)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by privy seal.

Comments

Licensed in 1337 and licence ratified in 1377. A licence for multiple properties of the bishop.

Original source is;

(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;

Robert Wyvil (d. 1375)
Robert Wyvil (d. 1375) had been Queen Isabella's secretary and Lord Privy Seal in 1327, but does not appear to have held political office after becoming bishop in 1330. The licence may represent some reconciliation between Edward III and this former minister of the regent Roger Mortimer.

The tomb of Bishop Wyvill is notable for a large brass, inlaid in a slab, showing a castle and a figure of a bishop.

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.

Record created by Philip Davis. This record last updated on Sunday, October 4, 2015.


¤¤¤¤¤