Harwich (Herewiche) was given a grant of murage dated 15/3/1405.
This was in the form of:-
Wording
Licence, because the town of Herewiche, co. Essex, is situated on the sea-coast and in front of the king's enemies and is without a castle or fortress for its safe-custody, for the king's kinsman Thomas Moubray, earl Marshal, to grant in mortmain a parcel of land within the town, containing 160 feet in length and 160 feet in breadth, not held of the king, to the burgesses of the town and for these to build on it a castle or fortress of stone and lime and to crenellate the same.
King and for 20s. paid in the hanaper.
Granted by Henry IV. (Regnal year 6). Granted at Westminster. Granted by King and for 20s. paid in the hanaper..
Primary Sources
Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1907,
Calendar of Patent Rolls Henry IV (1405-08) Vol. 3 p. 3
online copy
Comments
Thomas Moubray had died of plauge whilst on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1399 and Richard II had seized much of his land. Clearly Henry IV was using some of this land to encourage the burgesses of Harwich to defend the town.
Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 24/01/2009. Last updated on 05/01/2013. First published online 5/01/2013.
