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In 1310 July 16, Walterus de Maydenstan, vallettus Regis was granted, by Edward II, (In year 4 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Maydenstan (Maidstone)
Licence for Walter de Maydenstan, king's yeoman, to crenellate his dwelling-house in the town of Maydenstan. By K. (CPR)

Walterus de Maydenstan, vallettus Regis ... mansum suum in villa de ... Maydenstan (Turner and Parker)

Granted at {Westminster}. Grant by King.

Comments

The wording "in the town" is rare but when used does seem to mean a town house. That is a house in a built up area with little or no surrounding grounds.

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 sources are;

Maidstone, Walter (d. 1317)’
Walter Maydenstan had been a clerk of Edward I and was again called king's clerk in 1311. In 1306 he was elected canon and prebend of York. On 7 October, 1313, he became bishop of Worcester and died on 28 March, 1317.

However, the licence may be to another Maydenstan. A 'William de Maidenstane, the king's valet, being sent to the court of Rome, died on his journey thither in the 5th year of that reign.' (Hasted, 1798, History and Topographical Survey of Kent Vol. 4).

Biographical source include;

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

Please do inform Gatehouse if you see any errors, can add information or can otherwise help to improve this resource. Please contact Gatehouse.

Record created by Philip Davis. This record last updated on Sunday, October 4, 2015.


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