The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Dawley Castle granted on 1316 Nov 17

In 1316 Nov 17, William de Morton, clerk was granted, by Edward II, (In year 10 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Dalileye (Dawley Castle)

Granted at York. Grant by King, on the information of Master John de Cherleton.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1313-17) p. 566 online copy

(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. Licentia is best translated as 'freedom to' not 'permission'.)

Significant later sources are;

King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 439n108

William de Morton

on the information of Master John de Cherleton (Who received licence for his own house at the same time. (qv)). de Morton is a common surname and Gatehouse is unable to find any biographical detail that can be securely attributed to this William. Presumably de Morton was a retainer of Charlton and may well have been a Westminster based clerk.

Adam de Morton and William his son, and John, brother of William, and Thomas de Morton, were attached to answer the plea of William de Morton, Clerk, that they, together with John, son of John de Morton, Robert de Orselowe, and Robert de Ruyton had forcibly taken him from Morton, in Gnousale, on the Wednesday after the Feast of St. Ambrose, 12 E. III, and imprisoned him at Lilleshull, in co. Salop, until he had made a fine with them for £40, and for taking his horse worth £20, and for which he claimed £100 as damages. The defendants appeared by attorney, and pleaded that the plaintiff by the name of William de Morton, Parson of the Church of Holm, near Mare, had pardoned, released, and quit-claimed to them all actions, claims, and demands; dated from Lilleshull, in co. Salop, on the Wednesday above named. William denied that the deed was executed by him, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Octaves of St. Michael. A postscript shows the suit was adjourned from time to time up to Michaelmas, 18 E. III. m. 207. (Plea Roll)

If this plea roll entry for 1345 is for the same William de Morton it shows why he may have wanted a fortified house and the amount of money he had available.

Biographical source include;

G. Wrottesley & Rev. F. Parker (editors), 1890, 'Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 15 Edward III' Staffordshire Historical Collections Vol. 11 p. 108-123 online copy