In 1373 Nov 28, Johannes de la Mare, chivaler (Sir John de la Mare; Delamare) was granted, by Edward III, (In year 47 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Nonny (Nunney Castle)

"Licence for John de la Mare, 'chivaler,' to crenellate his dwelling-place (mansum) at Nonny. co. Somerset."

Granted at Westminster, by King.

Money from French wars funded the building of a stylish house well suited to an old soldier about to start a career in public administration.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1370-74) p367

(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.)

Significant later source are;

• Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol3 (Cambridge) p695
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p448n19
  Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol3 pt2 p417

John de la Mare (c. 1320-83)

John de la Mare (c. 1320-83) had made considerable amount of money, as a soldier, from the French Wars. He was Sheriff of Wiltshire (1374) and Somerset (1377), served as Knight of the Shire for Wiltshire (1376) and Somerset (1373, 1377, 1382)

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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