In 1403 Feb 23, John de Delves, Nicholas Bradshawe, Roger Bradshawe, John de Hynkeley, John Wordhull, clerk, John Bertram, clerk was granted, by Henry of Monmouth (later Henry V), (In year 4 of his reign) a Chester licence to crenellate Dodyngton (Doddington Tower)

"John de Delves, Nicholas Bradshawe, Roger Bradshawe, John de Hynkeley, John Wordhull, clerk, John Bertram, clerk, licence to kernellate a tower within the manor of Dodyngton"

Sir John Delves had obtained a licence to crenellate in 1364. This John is his grandson. Was the tower an addition to the previous manor or a separate building?
John Delves (d, 1429), Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1410, is clearly the leader of this group of what appear to be minor gentry. Is this some early form of gentlemen's club? Is Delves sharing the kudos of a licence with his friends/liegemen?

Original source is

• 1875, Report of the Deputy Keeper Public Records Vol36 p144
  Chester Recognizance Roll, 4 & 5 Hen. IV, m. 10d (7)

(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) Vol1 p70n8
  Ormerod, G., 1882 [2edn], History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol3 p524 note a

John Delves (d. 1429)

John Delves (d. 1429), Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1410

Biographical source include;

• Rogers, I.S., 2007, John Delves (online at http://www.girders.net/Da/Delves,%20John,%20(d.1429).doc <accessed 10 Feb 2008>

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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