The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Halden granted on 1487 Oct 6

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Grant in tail male to the king's councillor John Guldeford, knight, in consideration of his expenses and losses in the king's service, of the manors or lordships of Pytesley, co. Northampton, and Abyngworth, co. Surrey, with the advowson of the church of Abyngworth and all lands, rents and services in Pytesley and Abyngworth, which were late of Humphrey Stafford, esquire, deceased, and came into the king's hands by his forfeiture by reason of an act of the parliament held 7 November, 1 Henry VII, with knights' fees, homages, adowsons and all other franchises. Grant to him further of the issues of the same from the day of forfeiture. Licence also for him and his heirs at their pleasure to crenellate the manors or tenements of Halden, Tenterden, Brockle and Hertrigge, in the parishes of Rolvenden, Tenderden, Crambroke and Ebney, co. Kent, and to impark 1,000 acres of land and 1,000 acres of wood at the said manor of Halden and in the parishes of Holvynden, Benenden, Tenderden, Bydenden, Ebney, Crambroke and Stapilhurst. And to have free warren in all the lordships and lands of the said manors or tenements and a several fishery in all waters in all the said parishes. By p.s. (CPR)

Comments

This licence may well be seen as an acknowledgement and reward, from Henry VII, for this action against Richard as well as the specified compensation for lost holdings. A much defaced stone cartouche of the Guldeford family has been incorporated into the C17 stable block of Halden Place so it is possible that the licence did result in some building here although only a moat otherwise survives.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1914, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1485-94) p. 150-1 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;

Coulson, Charles, 2007-8, 'On Crenellating, in Kent and Beyond - A Retrospection' The Castle Studies Group Journal Vol. 21 p. 189-201 esp p. 200
Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol. 3 (Cambridge) p. 440

John Guldeford (1430-1493)

John Guldeford (1430-1493) had been sheriff of Kent, comptroller of the household of Edward IV, was knighted by Richard III at his coronation but was involved in a revolt against Richard III. A member of Henry VII privy council.

Biographical source include;

Wedgewood, J.C., 1936, History of Parliament Biographies of the Members of the Commons House 1439-1509 (HMSO) Vol. 2 p. 402-3

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.