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 1426 July 28, Hernricus, episcopus Winton. et alii (Henry (Beaufort), bishop of Winchester, Thomas, bishop of Durham, William Babyngton, knight, Henry Merston, clerk, William Alyngton, Simon Flete, Robert Frampton, William Flete and John Deryng) was granted, by Henry VI, (In year 4 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Rykmersworth (The More, Rickmansworth)

The wording of this licence is;

"Charter licencing Henry bishop of Winchester, Thomas, bishop of Durham,William Babyngton,knight, HenryMerston, clerk, William Alyngton, Simon Flete, Robert Frampton, William Flete and John Deryng to enclose, crenellate, enturret and embattle, with stones, lime and 'brik' their manor of More in Rykmersworth, and also to empark 600 acres of land in wood in Rikmersworth and Watford; grant also of free warren there, unless the land be within the metes of the king's forest. Witnesses: H. archbishop of Canterbury, J. archbishop of York and king's chancellor, W. bishop of London, P. bishop of Ely, W. bishop of Norwich and keeper of the privy seal, John duke of Bedford, Humphrey duke of Gloucester, Thomas duke of Exeter, John duke of Norfolk, Humphrey earl of Stafford, John earl of Huntyngdon, Henry earl of Northumberland, Walter Hungerford treasurer of England, John de Talbot, Ralph de Cromwell and John de Tiptoft steward of the household, knights.
manerium ... cum petris, calce et brike ... kernellare, turrellare et batellare"

Granted at Westminster, by privy seal.


The licence of 1426 also allow the emparking of 600 acres of land in Rikmersworth and Watford


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
¤¤¤¤¤