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In 1306 Sept 10, the master and brethren of the Knights Templars were granted, by Edward I, (In year 34 of his reign) a Royal licence to crenellate la Bruere (Temple Bruer Preceptory)
The like for the master and brethren of the Knights Templars to make and crenellate a great gate at their manor of la Bruere, co. Lincoln. By p.s. (CPR)

Granted at Henshaw (Heynessalgh). Grant by privy seal.

Comments

The community at Temple Bruer was broken up on 10 January 1308 and he Templars were finally suppressed in 1312 and the preceptory passed to the Hospitallers. Work on the gate house may well have begun, especially since licences were sometimes granted as buildings were being finished. The C15 seal of the preceptor 'is a pointed oval representing a castle elaborately designed, with outer wall of masonry embattled, circular keep embattled' (VCH) which may suggests some crenellated building did exist here.

There were tensions between the Knights and the king; Edward I had siezed the Knight's treasury in London in 1302; Templar knights had fought with the Scots at Roslin in 1303. Did the Knights feel a particularly need to re-establish good relationships with Edward I by obtaining a royal licence.

The last master was William de la More who died 1312 - 'of a broken heart in his solitary dungeon in the Tower, persisting with his last breath in the maintenance of the innocence of his order.' (Addison Chap X p. 277).

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;

William de la More (d. 1312)

Biographical source include;

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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