In 1348 Feb 6, Radulphus, Baro de Stafford (Ralph, Baron of Stafford) was granted, by Edward III, (In year 22 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Madlee (Old Madeley Manor)

"to fortify and crenellate his manses of Stafford and Madlee with a wall of stone and lime, and to make castles thereof."

Granted at Westminster, by privy seal.

Joint licence with Stafford.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1348-50) p13

(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;

• King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p455n24; n41
  Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p215
  Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p415

Stafford, Ralph, first earl of Stafford (1301–1372)

Ralph Stafford (1301-1372), soldier and magnate. Had severed successfully in France and won much booty. Also seneschal of Gascony and held other royal appointments. Was made Earl of Stafford in 1351.

Biographical source include;

• Carole Rawcliffe, ‘Stafford, Ralph, first earl of Stafford (1301–1372)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26211, accessed 10 Jan 2008]
  

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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