Sandwich was given a grant of murage dated 17/2/1404.
This was in the form of:-
Wording
To Thomas Erpyngham constable of Dovorre castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, or to his lieutenant. Order, for the speedy fortification and defence of the town of Sandewich, upon sight etc. to summon before them all who hold ground not built upon in places near to peril in the town or within the liberty thereof, and on the king's behalf to direct every one of them, for avoidance of perils which may happen to the town, to cause the same to be built upon and fortified before 1 May next, and if being warned they will not come or do as directed, or refuse so to do, licence by advice of the council to the mayor, good men and commonalty of the town, at their special request to the king and council, to build and fortify the same, at their own costs and the cost of such owners, and of this the king gives notice to the said constable and lieutenant and to all whom it concerns; as he has information how that by divers plagues and other losses and misfortunes the said town is become so empty and weak that the inhabitants are not able to defend it against attacks of his enemies, for that without his help they may not perfect the fortification thereof, as in walls and ditches, which at great cost they did begin. By K.
Granted by Henry IV. (Regnal year 5). Granted at Westminster. Granted by K..
Primary Sources
Stamp, A.E. (ed), 1929,
Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry IV Vol. 2 p. 413
online copy
Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 21/02/2009. Last updated on 26/04/2012. First published online 5/01/2013.
