The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Drax Priory granted on 1362 July 23

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In 1362 July 23, Prior et Conventus de Drax (Prior Thomas de Shirburn) were granted, by Edward III, (In year 36 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Drax (Drax Priory)

Licence for the prior and convent of Drax to crenellate their church and belfry. By K. (CPR)

Prior et Conventus de Drax ... ecclesiam et campanile sua ... Drax, Ebor. (Turner and Parker)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by King.

Comments

Licence to crenellate church and belfry. Clearly for decorative crenellations.

In 1324 Archbishop Melton issued a letter on behalf of the priory, in which he stated that the priory, because of the inundations of the Rivers Ouse and Aire which surrounded it, the frequent invasions of the Scots and other enemies, and the loss of cattle, had become so impoverished that it was hindered from its works of piety and hospitality. (VCH) 40 years later these problems did not impoverish the Priory enough to stop it doing some expensive decorative building works.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1912, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1361-64) p. 237 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), 1974, 'Houses of Austin canons: Priory of Drax' VCH Yorkshire Vol. 3 p. 205-208 online copy
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 416 online copy

Prior Thomas de Shirburn (d. 1391)

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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