The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for St Albans Abbey granted on 1357 June 17

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1909, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1354-58) p. 574 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;

Coulson, C., 1982, 'Hierarchism in Conventual Crenellation' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 26 p. 94 online copy
Page, Wm (ed), 1971, 'Houses of Benedictine monks: St Albans Abbey - After the Conquest' VCH Hertfordshire Vol. 4 p. 372-416
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 416 online copy

Mare, Thomas de la (c.1309–1396)

Mare, Thomas de la (c.1309–1396), abbot of St Albans, was perhaps born in Northumberland, where he is known to have had family connections. He was related to several noble families: through his father, John de la Mare, and his mother, Joanna (both c.1275–c.1340), daughter of Sir John Harpsfield, he claimed kinship with William Montagu, earl of Salisbury, William, Lord Zouche, and John Grandison, the distinguished bishop of Exeter. (Clark)

In his defence of his own house and of his order as a whole de la Mare benefited from close relations with the crown—he seems to have been on intimate terms with Edward III almost from the time of his election. Walsingham recalls the ‘great love’ shown to the abbot by the king, and makes uncorroborated claims that the king appointed de la Mare a member of his privy council. Edward was certainly a frequent visitor to St Albans and a considerable benefactor, but the evidence suggests de la Mare actually enjoyed closer relations with his son Edward, the Black Prince, who intervened on several occasions to defend de la Mare and protect the interests of St Albans. (Clark)

Biographical source include;

James G. Clark, 2004, ‘Mare, Thomas de la (c.1309–1396)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online copy (subscription may be needed)

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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