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In 1336 June 3, Thomas de Baumburgh, king's clerk, keeper of the hospital was granted, by Edward III, (In year 10 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Boulton (Bolton Hospital)

The wording of this licence is;

"Licence for Thomas de Baumburgh, king's clerk, keeper of the hospital of Boulton, co. Northumberland, to crenellate the dwelling-place of the hospital."

Granted at Woodstock, by King.


Founded as a leper hospital in 1225. Successive raids by the Scots forced the prior to apply for a licence to crenellate in 1336, after which time no lepers are recorded. Coulson states "honour not danger is the probable explanation" for the licence obtained by a clerk with direct contact with the king.


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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