In 1311 Sept 29, Hugo le Despenser, senior was granted, by Edward II, (In year 5 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate all his dwelling-houses and chambers in his manors throughout the realm (all his dwelling-houses and chambers in his manors throughout the realm)

"omnes domos et cameras in quibuscunque maneriis suis in regno nostro"

Granted at London, by King.

Ardent royalist and stood virtually alone in supporting the king's favourite Piers Gaveston.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1307-13) p394

(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. Licentia is best translated as 'freedom to' not 'permission'.)

Significant later source are;

• Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p406

Despenser, Hugh, the elder, earl of Winchester (1261–1326)

Biographical source include;

• J. S. Hamilton, ‘Despenser, Hugh, the elder, earl of Winchester (1261–1326)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/7553, accessed 24 Nov 2007]

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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