In 1201 March 10, Hugo de Morevill (Hugh de Morville) was granted, by John, a Royal licence to crenellate Kierkoswald (Kirkoswald Castle)

Granted at York,

King's note reads "Licence to Hugh de Morville to make a park at Kirkoswald, and 'firmare ibidem domam (sic, apparently) suam'. Hugh died in 1204 (Pipe Roll, 4 John, 257) and his castle may never have been built." See also Kirkoswald moated site a suggested alternative site for the licence.

Original source is

• Hardy, T.D. (ed.), 1837, Rotuli Chartarum in Turri Londinensi asservati 1199-1216 (Record Commission) p89

(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;

• Coulson, C., 1994, 'Freedom to Crenellate by Licence - An Historiographical Revision' Nottingham Medieval Studies Vol38 p106
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p99n45

Hugh de Morville (d. 1204)

There were several Hugh de Morville's about this time, including Hugh de Morville, the murderer of Thomas Becket. The biographical details of this Hugh are obscure. May be a nephew of Hugh the murderer.

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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