The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Bronsil Castle granted on 1460 Sept 11

Grant, of special grace, to Richard Beauchamp, esquire, of licence to impark 200 acres of meadow, 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of wood in the parish of Estnore, co. Hereford, called 'Derfold, Styweys, Cokkeslond, Hotale, Melowe, Overhoke alias Dewreshoke, Netherhoke alias Bisshophoke, Keteslond, Blundelleslond, Short groves, Parsons lond alias Cokkeslond, Morelond, Fulmerslond, Bromyhill, Blakenfen, and Hegh Seel,' and to build a tower in the said park of stone and mortar, and to crenellate, embattle, and provide with turrets and machicolations the said tower, and to make deer leaps in the said park at his will; grant also to him of free warren therein; and that he may hold the said park, tower, warren and deer leaps to him and his heirs. (CChR)

Granted at Sudeley. Grant by King and of the said date etc. {by authority of parliament}.

Comments

King writes of Bronsil "obviously this is the castle in Eastnor mentioned."

Here is a licence to crenellate and empark, granted at a point where Henry VI is becoming under Yorkist control and there is civil war yet government goes on apparently almost unaffected.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1927, Calendar of Charter Rolls Vol. 6 p. 137

(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;

King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 215n8

Richard Beauchamp (c.1435-1502)

Richard Beauchamp (c.1435-1502), son of the first Lord Beauchamp, of Powick. The Elder Beauchamp, John, first Baron Beauchamp of Powick (c.1400–1475), nobleman and administrator, had been a major figure at court for many years, including being treasurer of England. Although loyal to Henry VI he managed to avoid being associated with the Lancastrian party. Richard was 26 years old and not yet married. How did this estate come to him? Presumably as a grant from his father who, I expect, was the driving force behind obtaining this licence. In a fleet of fines record of 1470 the castle appears to be sublet but owned by John Beauchamp, knight, lord of Powyk'. (CP 21/1/83/57, number 9)

Richard was later to be an MP, Sheriff, Peer but at the time of the licence he was jointly constable of Gloucester castle, with his father and, also jointly, Chief Justice of South Wales. The title esquire usual mean King's Squire and implies he was at court at this time, as would be expected of a young man of his station. He did not become the powerful figure his father was.

Biographical source include;

John Watts, Sept 2004, ‘Beauchamp, John, first Baron Beauchamp of Powick (c.1400–1475)’ 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.

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