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In 1340 Oct 2, Johannes de Ferrers (John Ferrers) was granted, by Edward III, (In year 14 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Beer Ferres [Beer Fereres] (Bere Barton, Bere Ferrers)
Licence for John de Fereres to crenellate his dwelling-place of Beer Fereres, co. Devon. By p.s. (CPR)

Johannes de Ferrers ... mansum ... Beer Ferres, Devon. (Turner and Parker)

Granted at Andover. Grant by privy seal.

Comments

Fortified Manor House with a licence to crenellate granted to Mathilda, widow of William Ferrars in 1337 and to John Ferrers in 1340.

Original source is;

(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;

John Ferrers
This is not the midlands branch of the Ferrars family, who were nobles, but a biography not otherwise identified. Henry Ferrers, the second Lord Ferrers, of the Groby Ferrers, was the kings chamberlain at the time but what influence he had on this licence, if any, would be speculation. John would probably have been a knight like his father.

More information about licences to crenellate can be found here.

Please do inform Gatehouse if you see any errors, can add information or can otherwise help to improve this resource. Please contact Gatehouse.

Record created by Philip Davis. This record last updated on Sunday, October 4, 2015.


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