In 1306 Sept 10, the master and brethren of the Knights Templars was granted, by Edward I, (In year 34 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate la Bruere (Temple Bruer Preceptory)

"to make and crenellate a great gate at their manor"

Granted at Henshaw (Heynessalgh), by privy seal.

The Templars were suppressed in 1312 and the preceptory passed to the Hospitallers. However, 6 years is long enough for the gate house to have been built, especially since licences were often granted as buildings were being finished.

Original source is

• Calendar of Patent Rolls (1301-7) p462

(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.)

Significant later source are;

• Coulson, C., 1982, 'Hierarchism in Conventual Crenellation' Medieval Archaeology Vol26 p93

More details about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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