Page:Medieval Military Architecture in England (volume 1).djvu/172

 156 MedicevaL Military Architecture in England. the sheriffs, constables, and castellans, to supply timber, nails, lead, cordage, barrels of arrow-heads and cross-bow belts, cal- throps, bow-staves, and now and then military engines, which were collected from all quarters. All, however, was done hastily, and any masonry work erected under such circum- stances is generally found to be of inferior quality, and in marked contrast to the masonry of churches and ecclesiastical buildings of the same period. In the reign of Henry also began to be constructed fortified dwelling-houses, embattled and usually moated, but not regular castles. The invasion of the prerogative, under Stephen, led to its enforcement with strictness in the subse- quent reigns, but as there were few new castles, it was chiefly in favour of fortified houses that the licentia kernellare was applied for and granted. The earliest extant licence of this character dates from this reign, and about a score altogether appear to have been issued by Henry. Of these, six only were applied for by considerable barons, and in only two cases for castles of consequence, namely, Dudley and Belvoir.