In 1313 July 19, Fulco de Payforer was granted, by Edward II, (In year 7 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Colwebrigge (Coldbridge Castle)

"Licence to Fulk Payforer to crenellate his dwelling-place (mansum) of Colewebrigge, co. Kent."

Granted at Sturry, by privy seal.

Licences to crenellate were granted in 1313 and 1363.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1313-17) p10

(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;

• Coulson, Charles, 2007-8, 'On Crenellating, in Kent and Beyond - A Retrospection' The Castle Studies Group Journal Vol21 p189-201 esp p195
  Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol3 (Cambridge) p439
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p2409
  Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p407

Fulk Payforer

A Fulk Payforer was Sheriff of Kent in 1258, 1264 and 1267 and held other offices, he died 1277. This Fulk, presumably his son, may have been a retainer of the Duke of Gloucester (he appears in a list of men of the Dukes who appeared in a tournament at Dunstable in 1309 - Tomkinson p. 72) but seems little involved in court or local politics.

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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