The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Althorp granted on 1512 Nov 8

1494/28. John Spencer of Olthorp. Licence to impark lands in Olthorp and Wykehamond, Northt., with free warren, fishery, &c. in Olthorp, Brynketon Magna, and Wykehamond, and in Bodyngton Superior, Northt.; and licence to castellete the manors of Olthorp, Northt., and Wormeleighton, Warw. Westm., 8 Nov. 4 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 13 Nov. P.S. Pat. 4 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 2. {3524.} (LP Hen. VIII)

Granted at Westminster. Grant by privy seal.

Comments

Joint licence with Wormleighton.

Original source is;

Brewer, J.S. (ed), 1920, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII Vol. 1 p. 684 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'.)

Sir John Spencer (c.1470-1522)

Sir John Spencer (c.1470-1522) of Snitterfield and Wormleighton.

The Spencers have been farmers since pre-Tudor times, coming to prominence in Warwickshire in the fifteenth century. John Spencer became feoffee of Wormleighton in 1469, and a tenant at Althorp in 1486. His nephew another John, through trade in livestock and commodities, then bought both properties outright, was knighted, and so lay the bedrock for the family's fortune. His descendants expanded the holdings through business dealings and marriage into the peerage. (Althorp Estate)

The original John Spencer (d. 1522) secured the lordship of Wormleighton from the Cope family in 1507 (Spencer, 1999, p. 9) Spencer daughter, Jane was second wife of the very wealthy Sir William Cope, who had obtained Wormleighton from Henry VII when he was keeper of the Privy Purse. There is relatively little biographical detail for John Spencer. However, because of the later importance of the family much geneological work has been done. This suggests that John Spencer did not hold any positions of note.
Although the Spencers now reside at Althorp, Wormleighton was their original caput and the larger house.

Biographical source include;

http://www.althorp.com/familyhistory.php

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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