In 1352 Feb 11, Marmaducus le Conestable (Marmaduck, Constable of Holderness) was granted, by Edward III, (In year 26 of his reign) a Confirmation licence to crenellate Insulam de Flaynburgh (Beacon Farm, Flamborough)

"Licence for Marmaduke le Conestable to crenellate his dwelling place in (mansum suum infra) the isle of Flaynburgh, co. York."

Granted at Westminster, by p.s.

It is usually presumed this is either a copy or a repeat of the licence of the previous year although there was another possible fortified house in Flamborough at Beacon Farm. This licence is for his 'mansum' in Flamborough, the 1351 licence was for a 'chamber' within the manor of Flamborough. In this context 'chamber' probably refers to the, newly built, tower house. I speculate that Marmaduck obtained a licence for his new tower on its near completion in 1351, then, having decided to continue to use the older manor at Beacon Farm, perhaps as subsidiary lodgings, decided to grandify this with some decorative crenellations and obtained a licence for this in 1352.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1350-54) p225

(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;

• Rosemary Horrox, ‘Constable family (per. c.1300–1488)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/52782, accessed 15 Jan 2008]
  Emery, Anthony, 1996, Greater Medieval Houses Vol1 (Cambridge) p421
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p537n29
  Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p415

Sir Marmaduke [i] Constable (d. 1378)

Sir Marmaduke [i] Constable (d. 1378), presumably William [ii]'s younger brother, was lord of Flamborough. By 1351 Marmaduke had the resources to undertake rebuilding at Flamborough and obtained licence to crenellate the manor. Alongside this suggestion of growing prosperity Marmaduke was taking on a larger public role. In 1349 he was appointed an executor of Archbishop Zouche, he was added to the commission of the peace in 1351, and was sheriff of Yorkshire in 1360 62 and 1366 7. He was discharged as commissioner in May 1370, which seems to mark the end of his public career, although he did not die until 21 May 1378. (Horrox)

Biographical source include;

• Rosemary Horrox, ‘Constable family (per. c.1300–1488)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/52782, accessed 15 Jan 2008]

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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