The Gatehouse website record of a licence to crenellate for Kexby Old Hall granted on 1342 Feb 25

In 1342 Feb 25, Thomas Ughtred was granted, by Edward III, (In year 16 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate Kexby juxta Staynfordbrigg (Kexby Old Hall)

Granted at York. Grant by privy seal.

Comments

joint with Moor Monkton.

Original source is;

Lyte, H.C. Maxwell (ed), 1900, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1340-43) p. 388 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, 1996, Greater Medieval Houses Vol. 1 (Cambridge) p. 421
Allison, K.J. (ed), 1976, 'Catton: Kexby, Scoreby, and Stamford Bridge West' VCH Yorkshire East Riding Vol. 3 p. 158-64
Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 part 2 p. 413 online copy

Thomas Ughtred (1291-1365)

Thomas Ughtred (1291-1365), soldier, with prolonged service in Scotland and France. Held extensive lands in Yorkshire.

In July 1340, as Edward III was preparing to besiege Tournai, Ughtred was attached to a secondary force, led by Robert of Artois, that attempted to take St Omer. Although the expedition was unsuccessful, Ughtred's English archers distinguished themselves in the confused fighting outside St Omer on 26 July. Having returned from France, he continued to see active service against the Scots, as during the winter of 1341–2, but he was as much concerned with his own affairs at this time. In February 1342 he obtained a licence to crenellate his manors at Kexby and Moor Monkton, Yorkshire, while a surviving carpenter's contract shows that, in the previous year, he had embarked on building work at another of his Yorkshire properties, probably Brandsby. Ughtred was summoned to parliament on 20 April 1344 and took part in Edward III's continental expeditions in 1345–7. Serving under Thomas Beauchamp, earl of Warwick (d. 1369), Ughtred was sub-marshal of the royal army that landed in Normandy in July 1346 and won the battle of Crécy on 26 August... His last campaign in France was in 1359–60, when he brought to Edward III's army a retinue of 19 men-at-arms and 20 archers. At about this time Ughtred was admitted into the Order of the Garter, and occupied the stall vacated on the death of Sir Henry Eam. (Ayton)

Biographical source include;

Andrew Ayton, 2004, ‘Ughtred, Thomas, first Lord Ughtred (1291/2–1365)’ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press) online copy (subscription may be needed)