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 1443 July 7, Andrew Ogard, knight, John Clyfton, knight, John Fastoff, knight and William Oldehall, knight, Robert Whityngham, esquire, and William Roys was granted, by Henry VI, (In year 21 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Rye, otherwise called the Isle of Rye in Stanstead Abbots (Rye House, Stanstead Abbots)

The wording of this licence is;

"Grant, of special grace, to Andrew Ogard, knight, John Clyfton, knight, John Fastoff, knight and William Oldehall, knight, Robert Whityngham, esquire, and William Roys that they may impark the site of their manor of Rye, otherwise called the Isle of Rye in Stanstead Abbots, co. Hertford, and fifty acres of land, ten acresof meadow eighty acres of pasture and sixteen acres of wood within the said isle, and may enclose the site of the manor with stone and mortar and provide it with turrets, battlements and machicolations, and so hold it to them and their heirs for ever; provided that the foregoing be not within the metes of the king's forest; and the said grantees shall have free warren in all their demense lands in Stanstede Abbots, Amwell, Hoddesdon, Ware and Wydford in the same county."

Granted at Westminster, by privy seal and of the said date by authority of parliament.


Sir Andrew Ogard was by birth a Dane, who received letters of denization in England in 1436. He was a 'knight, chamberlain, and councillor' of John Duke of Bedford, the regent


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
¤¤¤¤¤