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In c. 1194, Ricardo de Vernone (Richard Vernon) was granted, by John, Count of Mortain (King John), a licence to fortify Heddon (Haddon Hall)

The wording of this licence is;

"Johannes Comes Moret[onie] Justiciariis, Vicecomitibus ballivis, ministris et omnibus fidelibus suis salutem. Sciatis me concessisse et licentiam dedisse Ricardo de Vern* [one] firmandi domum suam de Heddon' muro exaltato xii pedibus sine kerello et [idcirco?]* prohibeo ne quis v[est]r[u]m eum inde disturbet.
Teste Roberto de Mara, apud Clipeston[am]
*Document damaged here"

Granted at Clipstone,


Licence to strengthen his house at Haddon with a wall twelve feet high but without crenellations. Called a licence to crenellate by Williams although clearly exactly not this. Actually a supportive statement issued by John because of Vernon's local difficulties.


Original source is

(In fact, the original source given is usually a transcription/translation of what are precious medieval documents not readily availably. It should be noted that these transcription/translations often date to the nineteenth or early twentieth centuries and that unwitting bias of transcribers may affect the translation. Care should also be taken to avoid giving modern meaning to the medieval use of certain stock words and terms.)


Significant later source are;


More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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This record last updated on Wednesday, December 6, 2006

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