Bamburgh (Beaumburc) was given a grant of murage dated 16/3/1332.
This was in the form of:-
Wording
we have also granted leave to the inhabitants of Bamburgh . . . that they may strengthen, shut in, and crenellate the borough with a wall of stone and lime, as they will, and keep it so crenellated.
King and petition of Council.
Granted by Edward III. (Regnal year 6). Granted at Westminster. Granted by King and pet. of Council..
Primary Sources
Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1912, Calendar of Charter Rolls Vol. 4 Edward III 1327-1341 (HMSO) p. 266-7
Secondary Sources
Brooke, C.J., 2000,
Safe Sanctuaries (Edinburgh; John Donald) p. 77
Coulson, C., 1995, 'Battlements and the Bourgeoisie: Municipal Status and the Apparatus of Urban Defence' in Church, Stephen (ed),
Medieval Knighthood Vol. 5 (Boydell) p156
Bateson, Edward (ed), 1893,
Northumberland County History (Newcastle upon Tyne) Vol. 1 p. 125
online copy
Comments
In 1332 Edward III granted murage rights to the townsfolk 'we have also granted leave to the inhabitants of Bamburgh . . . that they may strengthen, shut in, and crenellate the borough with a wall of stone and lime, as they will, and keep it so crenellated.' The charter was confirmed by Richard II in 1382 indicating that there had been little improvement during the century. There is no evidence this charter was acted upon.This close to the Scottish border defence may have been a real concern but the lack of work done suggests that the perception of danger, rather than the reality, was the concern.
BAMBURGH 4178 6350. Borough 1169x70 (BF, p. 143). Mint 1135-54. 1336 Subsidy £50. Royal stronghold from seventh century to 954 and subsequently seat of the earls of Northumberland. (Letters, S., 2003,
Gazetter of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales to 1516 (Centre for Metropolitan History)
online copy)
Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 09/02/2009. Last updated on 05/01/2013. First published online 5/01/2013.
