Page "Kirby Muxloe Castle" Paragraph 5

Through his fathers affairs in Leicester, William had gained a close friendship with Edward, the future King Edward IV of England.

It was William Hastings then who inherited his fathers estates upon his death in 1455, and as soon as Edward attained the throne in 1461, William received the title Baron Hastings and became the holder of many awards and honours.

In 1474 William obtained a licence from the King to enclose near Ashby de la Zouch, near Bagworth and near Kirby.

He had ceased to be a tenant at Kirby by acquiring the manorial rights from the Villiers family a few months before his inclosure schemes were licensed.

He then also applied for a license to crenallate the house of the Manor, which would permit him to fulfil his plans to fortify his planned residence.

Work then started on the castle in 1480.