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In 1315 May 28, Robertus de Keleseye, civis London (Robert de Kelsey) was granted, by Edward II, (In year 8 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Westchepe (West Cheapside, London)

The wording of this licence is;

"domum suam in vico de Westchepe, ex parte boriali ejusdem vici"

Granted at Westminster, by King, on the information of Robert Appelby.


Westchepe was the western end of Cheapside. The licence states the house was on the north side of the street. "Robert de Kelleseye was a Pleader at the Courts of the Guildhall, but it appears he was also engaged in business. He was the creditor of a mercer for £4 in 1301 (LBB 110), and he acknowledged debts for considerable amounts to various merchants, thus in 1303 one to Aubrey de Dynaunt, merchant (ib. 129), in 1304 one of £100 to Nicholas Pycot and Peter de Sparham, mercers (ib. 137), in 1305–6 one of £5 to two Lucca merchants" (Ekwall)


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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