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In 1334 Oct 22, John de Bures et Hawisia uxor ejus was granted, by Edward III, (In year 8 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Botyngton (Boddington)
The wording of this licence is;

"Licence for John de Bures and Hawisia his wife to crenellate their dwelling-place (mansum) of Botyngton, co. Gloucester."

Granted at York, by privy seal.


This was presumable Boddington Manor near Tewkesbury where a C19 house stands within a medieval moat.


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


Significant later source are;


John de Bures

Bures was the third husband of Hawise, to whom the manor had descended, as an infant, on the death of her father in 1280. There appears to have some dispute over the lordship and the licence may represent some attempt to ensure the house went to Katherine, daughter of John and Hawise, rather than to Hawise's heir, her grandson from her second marriage, John de Ferrers who unsuccessfully claimed the manor.


More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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This record last updated on Thursday, December 17, 2009

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