The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Buckingham Castle, Macclesfield granted on 1410

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In 1410, John de Macclesfield, clerk was granted, by Henry of Monmouth (later Henry V), a Chester licence to crenellate Macclesfield (Buckingham Castle, Macclesfield)

Comments

A repeat of the 1398 licence. This licence is sometime confused with a licence of 1410 granted to the abbot of Chester (Who was Henry de Sutton). Certainly he seems to have made money from his royal service and a repeat of the licence from the new government would have been useful safeguard for his heirs given the illegitimate status of his sons.

Original source is;

1875, Report of the Deputy Keeper Public Records Vol. 36 p. 314 online copy
_Chester Recognizance Roll_, 10 &11 Hen. 4, m. 6 (5)

(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;

Davis, Philip, 2010-11, 'Crenellated town houses in Medieval England' Castle Studies Group Journal Vol. 24 p. 270-91
Ormerod, G., 1882 (2edn), History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 3 p. 747

John Macclesfield (1351-1422)

John Macclesfield (1351-1422). In 1398 John de Macclesfield was keeper of the Great Wardrobe. "Having been ordained a priest in 1378, he migrated to London two years later and became a clerk at the King's privy seal... Although a priest in holy orders, John de Macclesfield sired five sons by his consort, Katherine Kingsley." (Macclesfield's `Great Place´, Macclesfield Borough Council, 1998). Although he seems to have done service for Richard II Gatehouse is uncertain if he continued as a royal clerk for Henry IV.

Biographical source include;

Maxfield, D.K., 1986, 'Pardoners and property: John Macclesfield, 1351-1422, builder of Macclesfield Castle' Cheshire Archaeological Society Journal Vol. 69

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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