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The Close Rolls

1. The Early 13th Century: Building and Royal Favors (1216-1244)

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During this period, Kenilworth was a strictly royal fortress.   Henry III used the Close Rolls to control everything from architectural repairs to giving away natural resources from the castle's estate as political gifts.

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  • 1220 (4 Henry III, m. 7): A mandate famously detailing the reconstruction of a turret or small tower at the castle (cujusdam turellae) which had collapsed during the recent Christmas holidays.

  • 1234 (18 Henry III, m. 15): Order to the Constable of Kenilworth Castle to repair the king's domestic buildings inside the inner ward, including the king's private chamber and the chapel.

  • 1238 (22 Henry III, m. 11): Royal instruction ordering the castle's castellan to drag the massive fishponds (the Great Mere) and deliver an abundant supply of fresh bream to the Bishop of Worcester.

  • 1238 (22 Henry III, m. 3): An order to the constable to cut down and distribute several mature oak trees from the castle woods (‘the Hay of Kenilworth’) to be given as a gift to the royal administrator Geoffrey de Langley.

 

2. The Simon de Montfort and the Barons' War Crisis (1244-1267)

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In 1244, Henry III gave custody of Kenilworth to his sister Eleanor and her husband, Simon de Montfort.   When Montfort later led a rebellion against the king, the Close Rolls tracked the royal panic and subsequent attempts to reclaim the castle.

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  • 1244 (28 Henry III, m. 13): Formal enrolment of the command transferring the temporary custody and care of Kenilworth Castle directly into the hands of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.

  • 1265 (49 Henry III, m. 6): Secret mandates issued in the king's name (while he was held captive by Montfort) concerning the movement of prisoners and hostages to Kenilworth Castle.

  • 1266 (50 Henry III, m. 4d): Orders sent to various county sheriffs demanding they violently seize provisions, specifically wheat, oats, and carcasses of beef, and send them immediately to the royal camp blockading the rebels at the Siege of Kenilworth.

  • 1267 (51 Henry III, m. 10): A writ to the royal bailiffs regarding the post-siege cleanup, ordering the collection and safe return of stray horses, discarded weapons, and timber from broken siege machinery left around the castle walls.

 

3. The Deposition of Edward II (1326-1327)

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Kenilworth became a royal prison in the winter of 1326 when the deposed King Edward II was held there by his cousin, Henry, Earl of Lancaster.

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  • 1326 (20 Edward II, m. 3): Urgent instruction to the keepers of the castle to tightly restrict access to Kenilworth, ensuring that no secret letters or hidden messages could be smuggled in or out to the captive king.

  • 1327 (1 Edward III, pt. 1, m. 28): A crucial entry issued just days after Edward III took the throne.   It commands Odo de Stoke (the former wartime keeper of Kenilworth) to formally hand over all remaining keys, defensive military stores, and castle records to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, who was being granted the estate back.

 

4. The Lancastrian and Tudor Domestic Management (1399-1520s)

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Once the House of Lancaster took the crown in 1399, Kenilworth was treated as an elite royal retreat.   The Close Rolls show the crown keeping the estate running smoothly.

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  • 1402 (3 Henry IV, s. 1, m. 14): A writ to the local foresters commanding them to supply firewood and venison directly to Kenilworth Castle to prepare for an upcoming winter visit by the royal household.

  • 1440 (18 Henry VI, m. 22): Direct command to the auditors of the Duchy of Lancaster to pay out regular pensions and retaining fees to the gatekeepers and watchmen protecting the outer walls of Kenilworth.

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