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In 1622 March 10, Ferdinand Huddleston (Ferdinard Hudleston) was supposedly granted, by James I, a Royal licence to crenellate Millom Castle (Millom Castle)

The wording of this licence is;

"Grant to Sir Thos. Metcalf and Dame Elizabeth, his wife of Nappa, Co. York, and to Ferdinand Huddleston, of Millom Castle and Nich. Curwen, of the Holme, both co. Cumberland, and others, of certain recognzances of 500l. each, forfeited by non-appearance of Metcalf in the Star Chamber; also ofall fines in the Star Chamber, forfeiture of lands, &c., on account of the above recognizances, &c."

Although this document has been considered by some as a licence to crenellate the current opinion rejects this as a licence to crenellate.


Curwen writes "1622, 10th March. Further grant to Ferdinand Hudleston of Millom castle to crenellate, etc." he references Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1619-23, p. 357. I presume this is actually a reference to the Calendar of State Papers although the recorded grant of recognizances of 500 pounds to Hudlestone and others reads nothing like a licence to crenellate. (The identical page number and dates makes me certain this is the source Curwen means but I am mystified as to how this entry could be, in anyway, considered to be a licence to crenellate. And why to Hudleston only when he is one of a list of 4 named persons?)


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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