Kingston-upon-Hull (Kyngeston-upon-Hull) was given a grant of murage dated 11/4/1348.
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
Grant to the mayor, bailiffs and good men of Kyngeston-upon-Hull of murage for seven years to complete a wall, begun by them for the safety of the town and the parts adjacent, on the water of Humbre, as well as to wall in their town.
By p.s.
Grant to them of pavage as above.
By the same writ.
Granted by Edward III. (Regnal year 22). Granted at Westminster. Granted by p.s..
Primary Sources
Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1905,
Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1348-50) Vol. 8 p. 87
online copy
Secondary Sources
Coulson, Charles, 2009,
Murage Grants (Handwritten list and notes)
Allison, K.J. (ed), 1969,
VCH York East Riding Vol. 1 p. 412-18
online copy
Comments
'their petition said they began the work out of concern for their own and the areas benefit on the riverside but needed help to complete it and the wall enclosure elsewhere - They had a licence to crenellate the town in 1321 in any case' (Coulson).
Apparently a rare example of two 'improvement' surtaxes (walls and street paving) being taken at the same time. The grant gives the impression that sea defences are the major concern here, rather than town walls. This also is rare, since national government always tended to emphasis its major role of being the source of defence against enemies.
Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 17/01/2009. Last updated on 04/06/2012. First published online 5/01/2013.
