The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Ditton Park, Datchet granted on 1334 March 3

Inspeximus and confirmation of (1) letters patent, dated 8 August, 5 Edward III., being a licence for John de Molyns, king's yeoman, to impark the woods of Siwardeshull and Wynard; (2) the like, dated 15 September, 6 Edward III., being a licence for an exchange of lands in Stoke Pugeys between the said John and the prior and convent of St. Mary's, Suthwerk; (3) the like, dated 2 February, 7 Edward III., being a pardon to him of a bond of 50l., an escheat to the king by the forfeiture of Hugh le Despenser the younger; (4) the like, dated 8 August, 6 Edward III., being an exemption of him from service on juries, &c.; (5) the like, dated 23 December, 5 Edward III. being a licence for him to crenellate his dwelling houses of Stoke Pogeys and Dytton ; (6) the like, dated 23 December, 5 Edward III., being an exemption of his houses in the manors of Stoke Pogeys and Ditton from livery of the king's marshals and others; (7) the like,-dated 8 December, 6 Edward III., being a general pardon to him. By p.s. (CPR)

Granted at York. Grant by p.s.

Comments

Inspeximus and confirmation of 1331 licence.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1893, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1330-34) p. 521-2 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;

Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses Vol. 3 (Cambridge) p. 211

Moleyns , Sir John (d. 1360)

John de Molyns, although described as the king's yeoman, was Treasurer to Edward III and was eventually knighted. His later career was an almost textbook 'robber baron'.
Moleyns (Molyns, Molines), Sir John (d. 1360), administrator and criminal, was the son of Vincent Moleyns and his wife, Isabella; he came from Hampshire, where his father had stood surety for a knight of the shire returned to parliament in 1301. His recorded career began in the royal household, as an adherent of the Despensers. In the autumn of 1325 he accompanied Prince Edward to France, and delivered a letter to the bishop of Winchester there. He married Egidia Mauduit, daughter of Sir John Mauduit and granddaughter of Robert Poges, who claimed a share of the manor of Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. Egidia and her husband profited from the murder of Peter Poges, lord of the manor, and his heir in the autumn of 1326, and Moleyns was later indicted of this crime but acquitted, though by a jury partly selected by himself. Stoke Poges became the centre of his estates which extended over thirty-one manors and tenements at the time of their confiscation in December 1340. (Röhrkasten)

Biographical source include;

Jens Röhrkasten, 2004, ‘Moleyns , Sir John (d. 1360)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online copy (subscription may be needed)

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

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