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In 1399 March 18, Abbas et Conventus monasterii Cestriae (abbot and convent of the monastery of Chester; Abbot Henry Sutton) were granted, by Richard II, (In year 22 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Sutton (Sutton Hall)
Licence for the abbot and convent of the monastery of Chester, of royal foundation and in the king's patronage, to crenellate their manors of Salghton, Sutton and Ins. By p.s. {12754.} (CPR)

Abbas et Conventus monasterii Cestriae ... manerium ... Salghton. (Turner and Parker)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by privy seal.

Comments

A licence to crenellate was obtained in 1399 and repeated in 1410, but probably not acted upon on either occasion.

Despite serious financial difficulties, from reduced income, Abbot Henry Sutton (elected 1387-d. 1413) seems to have been a profligate spender of the Abbey's money and much of the convent were set against him. Gatehouse is not able to identify him exactly or suggest a reason from his particular need for a licence other than the animosity of the chapter (Two monks were pardoned for allegedly plotting to kill the abbot in 1412.) and his apparent ego mania. Presumably this Sutton Hall is a family home of the Abbot's.

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;

Abbot Henry Sutton (elected 1387-d. 1413)

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.


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