Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/357

Rh right of Nicholas Lord Burnell, was desirous to put an end to the contest with as little offence as possible. He therefore sent the earl of Lancaster, and other lords to Nicholas, to request that he would permit Robert de Morley to bear the arms in dispute for the term of his life only, to which Nicholas out of respect to the king assented. The king then directed the high constable, and earl marshal, to give judgment accordingly. This they performed in the church of St. Peter near Calais, and their sentence was immediately proclaimed by a herald in the presence of the whole army there assembled.

As regards the date of the mansion, there is no difficulty whatever; Robert Burnell having received the royal licence to strengthen with a wall of lime and stone and crenelate the building in the 12th of Edward I. (1284.)

Rex omnibus ad quos etc. salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris venerabili patri Roberto Burnel Bathoniensi et Wellensi Episcopo Cancellario nostro quod ipse et heredes sui mansum suum de Acton Burnel muro de petra et calce firmare et Carnellare possint quandocumque voluerint, et mansum illud sic firmatum et carnellatum tenere sibi et heredibus suis inperpetuum; sine occasione vel impedimento nostri et heredum nostrorum Justiciariorum et ministrorum nostrorum quorumcunque. In cujus etc. T. R. apud Lincolniam, xxviij. die Januarii.

It is a quadrangular structure, enclosing an area of 70 feet