The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Hemyock Castle granted on 1380 Nov 5

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In 1380 Nov 5, Willielmus Asthorp, miles, et Margareta uxor ejus (Sir William Asthorpe and Margaret his wife) were granted, by Richard II, (In year 4 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Mansum Manerii de Hemyock (Hemyock Castle)

Licence for William Asthorp, knight, and Margaret his wife, to crenellate dwelling the house of their manor of Hemyok with a wall of stone and lime. By p.s. (CPR)

Willielmus Asthorp, miles, et Margareta uxor ejus ... mansum manerii ... Hemyock. (Turner and Parker)

The King,
To all those whom it may concern, greetings.
Know ye, that, of our special favour, we have for ourselves and our heirs, granted and given special licence to our trusty and well-beloved William Asthorpe, soldier, and Margaret his wife that they may be permitted to fortify and crenellate their Manor House of Hemyock with a wall of stone and flint.
We further give permission to the said William and Margaret, and their heirs, to occupy the house so fortified and crenellated for ever, without let or hindrance either from ourselves, our heirs, our justices of the peace, our esquires, our lieutenants, or any other whether our bailiffs or other officers whatsoever.
In witness whereof etc. Given by the King at Northampton, 5th November by a brief and under our private seal. (Hemyock Castle website > http://www.hemyockcastle.co.uk/licence.htm] transcription of Privy Seal Warrent)

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1895, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1377-81) p. 552 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;

Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol. 3 (Cambridge) p. 695
Higham, R. A., 1988, 'Devon Castles: an annotated list, Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society Vol. 46 p. 146
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 123n13
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 18 online copy

William Asthorpe (d. 1399)

William Asthorpe (d. 1399), He was illegitimate, had distinguished himself in France, and been knighted, was a commissioner of Array for Devon. He deputised for William Huwet (see Estham 1369 May 4) as keeper of the Channel Islands and was then appointed as keeper. In 1385 he is recorded as sheriff of Devon. He married heiress Margaret Dynham (The manor was a Dinham holding, although their caput was Hartland, as Asthorpe died without an heir the manor, eventually, returned to the Dinhams). The interesting similarities between Bodiam and Hemyock, and Asthorpe and Dalyngrigge, are discussed in the Hemyock Castle website

Biographical source include;

2001-2008, 'Asthorpe Family Line- Hemyock Castle' online online copy

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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