The Gatehouse. The comprehensive listing of medieval fortifications and castles in England and Wales.
Home | Books | Links | Fortifications and Castles | Other Information | Help | Downloads | Author Information | Contact
In 1267 Dec 5, Johannes Cumyn (John Comyn) was granted, by Henry III, (In year 52 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Tyrsete (Tarset Castle)

The wording of this licence is;

"Pro Johanne Cumyn. De firmacione et kernellacione domus sue. Rex omnibus &c. salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris dilecto et fideli nostro Johanni Cumyn quod quandam cameram infra manerium suum de Tyrsete in comitata Northumbr' construere proponit, fossato et muro de petra et calce includere,firmare et kernellare possit ad voluntatem ipsius Johannis, et cameram illam taliter fimatam et kernellatam tenere sibi et heredibus suis imperpetuum, sine occasione vel impedimento nostro vel heredum nostrorum. Ita tamen quod idem Johannes cameram illam eodem modo includat firmat et kernellet quo camera dilecti et fidelis nostri Ade de Gesemuth apud Heton in comitatu predicto est inclusa, firmata et kernellata, In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium v. die Dec."

Granted at Westminster, by King.


King writes "a very detailed licence for a Scotsman, John Cumyn, to enclose and crenellate a chamber (i.e. to erect a tower or similar structure) provided that it was to be fortified in the same manner as the existing chamber of Adam de Gesemuth (Jesmond) at Heaton, near Newcastle."


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.

Please let me know if you see any errors, can add information or can otherwise help to improve this resource. Contact me

Go to Previous Record Go to Next Record Back to List
This record last updated on Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Home | Books | Links | Fortifications and Castles | Other Information | Help | Downloads | Author Information | Contact
¤¤¤¤¤