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 1495 Nov 5, Sir William Martyn was granted, by Henry VII, (In year 11 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Adlampston in the parish of Pidelton (Athelhampton Hall)

The wording of this licence is;

"Licence to William Martyn, gentleman, and his heirs, to enclose and fortify their manor at Adlampston in the parish of Pidelton, co. Dorset, with walls of stone and lime, and to build towers within the said manor and crenellate the same; and to impark and inclose with pales 100 acres of their lands called 'Adlampston Parc' and 60 acres called 'le Est' and 'le Mydell Closes' belonging to the said manor and make a park thereof so than none shall enter the said park or warren to course or take anything which belongs to park or warren under a forfeiture of 10l."

Granted at Westminster,


Symbolic licence, hall is unfortified (although gatehouse has been demolished)


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
¤¤¤¤¤