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In 1439 [Nov 12 - Dec 21], major et communitas [de Plymmouth] (mayor and commons) was granted, by Henry VI, (In year 18 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Plymmouth (Plymouth Town Wall)

The wording of this licence is;

"Ac quod predicti major et communitas, heredes et successors sui, burgum predictum firmare et muris lapideis includere et circuire, et turres in eisdem muris pro fortificacione et defensione ejusdem burgi de nove construere et edificare, necnon eofdem muros et turres kernellare et batellare valeant licite et impune.
And that the aforesaid mayor and commons, their heirs and successors, can lawfully and without punishment strengthen the aforesaid borough and enclose and surround it with stone walls, and newly construct and build towers in the same walls for the fortification and defence of the same borough, and also crenellate and fortify the same walls and towers."

Granted at Westminster, by Petition of Parliament.


Borough Charter


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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