The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Farleigh Hungerford Castle granted on 1383 Nov 26

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In 1383 Nov 26, Thomas de Hungreford (Sir Thomas Hungerford) was granted, by Richard II, (In year 7 of his reign) a Royal Pardon licence to crenellate Farle Mountford (Farleigh Hungerford Castle)

Pardon to Thomas de Hungreford, knight, for crenellating the mansion house of his manor of Farle Mountfort, co. Somerset, without licence. By K. and for 1 mark paid in the hanaper. (CPR)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by King and for 1 mark paid in the hanaper.

Comments

Sir Thomas Hungerford, who was pardoned for crenellating without licence in 1383. King writes "The fine imposed was only 1 mark; the authorities can hardly have been much incensed at this technical offence." This was a fine not an amercement (as implied by King - who seems to have, incorrectly, given the modern meaning to the medieval term) so expressly a fee for the pardon and a fee that would have barely covered the costs of administration (giving the expense of parchment, silks and beeswax).

His petition, in French, requesting the licence without making a fine or paying a fee survives in The National Archives and can be freely obtain from them.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1897, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1381-85) p. 340 online copy
National Archive SC 8/226/11256 (petition) order 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
Charles Kightly, Sept 2004, ‘Hungerford, Sir Thomas (b. in or before 1328, d. 1397)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online edn, Jan 2008 online copy (subscription may be needed)
Coulson, C., 1994, 'Freedom to Crenellate by Licence - An Historiographical Revision' Nottingham Medieval Studies Vol. 38 p. 92n17
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 447n10

Hungerford, Sir Thomas (b. in or before 1328, d. 1397)

Hungerford, Sir Thomas (b. in or before 1328, d. 1397), landowner and speaker of the House of Commons. John of Gaunt's chief steward 1275-1393. His powerful position, as Gaunt's chief steward rather than speaker, may have provoked some concern either locally or nationally so that the pardon became needed to alleviate anxiety about his building work.

Biographical source include;

Charles Kightly, Sept 2004, ‘Hungerford, Sir Thomas (b. in or before 1328, d. 1397)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online edn, Jan 2008 online copy (subscription may be needed)

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.