Île d’Oléron was given a grant of murage dated 4/12/1319.
This was in the form of:-
This is a grant which may have been used for walls but could have been used for other civic improvements.
Wording
For the enclosure and fortifying of the Île d’Oléron and the castle of the same place.
Order to the same to obtain information about, and inquire into, the enclosure and fortification of the Île d’Oléron, and then certify the king quickly of his findings. The king has been informed that the Île and the castle there are deficient in enclosure and fortification, and that the people of the Île would want to continue to live there if it is fortified. In addition he should sell wood or timber from the forest there up to the value of 2,000l.t., from which the king currently receives no profit, and when it has been cut down the king could get 100l.t. from the pasture until the trees grow again.
Granted by Edward II. (Regnal year 13). Granted at York.
Primary Sources
C 61/33 Gascon Roll for the 13th and 14th years of the reign of Edward II Membrane 14d.78
online copy
Comments
Clearly the desire here was to protect the people of the Isle although how this was to be achieved was not clear. The island is large and has several communities. In practice the fortification seems to be the castle on the south east of the island.
The order to sell timber may be coincidental and nothing to do with fortification.
Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 23/03/2012. Last updated on 03/05/2012. First published online 5/01/2013.
