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Coordinates: 52°48′16″N 2°39′15″W / 52.8045°N 2.6541°W / 52.8045; -2.6541
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Military Structure
{{Infobox Military Structure
|name = Moreton Corbet Castle
|name = Moreton Corbet Castle
|location = [[Shropshire]], [[England]]
|location = [[Shropshire]], [[England]]
|coordinates = {{gbmapping|SJ560232}}
|coordinates = {{coord|52.8045|N|2.6541|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|gridref = {{gbmapping|SJ560232}}
|image = [[File:Moreton Corbet Castle from west 01.JPG|220px]]
|image = [[File:Moreton Corbet Castle from west 01.JPG|220px]]
|caption = View from the west
|caption = View from the west
|map_type = Shropshire
|map_type = Shropshire
|latitude = 52.8045
|longitude = -2.6524
|coord_region = GB
|coord_display = title
|map_size = 200
|map_size = 200
|map_alt =
|map_alt =
Line 24: Line 22:
|events =
|events =
}}
}}
'''Moreton Corbet Castle''' is an [[English Heritage]] property located near the village of [[Moreton Corbet]], [[Shropshire]], [[England]], 8 miles northeast of [[Shrewsbury]]. It is a [[Grade I listed building]].<ref name=HG>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1366802 |desc=Moreton Corbet Castle |accessdate=3 April 2015}}</ref> The ruins are from two different eras: a [[medieval]] stronghold and an [[Elizabethan era]] [[manor house]]. The buildings have been out of use since the 18th century.
'''Moreton Corbet Castle''' is a ruined [[medieval]] [[castle]] and [[Elizabethan era]] [[manor house]], located near the village of [[Moreton Corbet]], [[Shropshire]], [[England]]. It is a [[Grade I listed building]] and [[English Heritage]] property.<ref name=HG>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1366802 |desc=Moreton Corbet Castle |accessdate=3 April 2015}}</ref> Although out of use since the 18th century, it remains the property of the [[Corbet family]]. It can be visited free of charge during daylight hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/moreton-corbet-castle/ |website=English Heritage |title=Moreton Corbet Castle > Prices and Opening Times}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
⚫
===Medieval Stronghold===
[[Image:Moretoncorbet2c.jpg|thumb|sixteenth century gatehouse]]
⚫
In 1086 two [[Anglo Saxon]] [[thegn]]s, Hunning and Wulfgeat, were living at Moreton Corbet. Perhaps they had a fortified structure here. By the early thirteenth century they had been replaced by another Englishman, Toret. His descendant [[Peter Toret]] was lord of Moreton Corbet by 1166 and it is likely that he was living in the castle. In February 1216 [[William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|William Marshal]]l stormed Moreton Corbet castle on behalf of King [[John of England]] against [[Bartholomew Toret]]. At this time the castle was known as Moreton Toret Castle. In 1235 Bartholomew died and [[Richard de Corbet]], his son-in-law, inherited the castle and changed its name to Moreton Corbet.<ref>{{cite book |last=Remfry |first=Paul Martin |date=2005 |title=Moreton Corbet Castle, and the families of Verley, Toret and Corbet |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IKS4AAAACAAJ&dq=isbn:1899376615&hl=en&sa=X&ei=d6zIVOPTGoPV7gak04CABQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAA |location=[Wales] |publisher=Castle Studies Research & Publishing |page= |isbn=9781899376612 |access-date= |edition=New Revised}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=January 2015}}


⚫
===Medieval stronghold===
The castle next saw action in the [[English Civil War]] when the castle changed hands at least four times.
⚫
[[File:Moreton Corbet Castle gatehouse 01.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Medieval gatehouse with Elizabethan additions]]
⚫
In 1086 two [[Anglo Saxon]] [[thegn]]s, Hunning and Wulfgeat, were living at Moreton Corbet. By the early thirteenth century the structure had been replaced by another, built by Toret, an Englishman. His descendant Peter Toret was lord of Moreton Corbet by 1166 and it is likely that he was living in the castle. In February 1216 [[William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|William Marshal]]l stormed Moreton Corbet castle on behalf of King [[John of England]] against Bartholomew Toret. At this time the castle was known as Moreton Toret Castle. In 1235 Bartholomew died and Richard de Corbet, his son-in-law, inherited the castle and changed its name to Moreton Corbet.<ref>{{cite book |last=Remfry |first=Paul Martin |date=2005 |title=Moreton Corbet Castle, and the families of Verley, Toret and Corbet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKS4AAAACAAJ&dq=isbn:1899376615 |location=[Wales] |publisher=Castle Studies Research & Publishing |isbn=9781899376612 |edition=New Revised}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=January 2015}}


⚫
The [[keep]] or great tower to the west was connected to the gatehouse by a [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]], which then curved south and looped to encircle the site, creating a [[Motte-and-bailey castle|bailey]] or courtyard. The roof of the gatehouse has not survived, but the [[corbel arch|corbel]] work that supported the roof and tower [[battlement]]s of the castle is still extant.
Moreton Corbet remains the property of the [[Corbet baronets|Corbet family]].


⚫
At the western end of the extant curtain wall is a rectangular [[keep]] of two stories and a basement, dating from between the eleventh and early thirteenth centuries.<ref name=HG/><ref name=guidebook>{{cite book |last=Ferris |first=Iain |date=2000 |title=Haughmond Abbey, Lilleshall Abbey, Moreton Corbet Castle |location=London |publisher=English Heritage |isbn=9781850747505 }}.</ref> It was entered through an elevated doorway, and the fireplaces on the lower residential floor are still visible.
===Elizabethan House===
⚫
[[Image:Moretoncorbet1c.jpg|thumb|Elizabethan building]]
In the 16th century, [[Andrew Corbet (died 1578)|Sir Andrew Corbet]] made many alterations to the gatehouse and the perimeter wall. When he died in 1579, his son, [[Robert Corbet (died 1583)]], influenced by the [[classical architecture]] overseas he had seen in his role as a diplomat, set about building a new mansion. Unfortunately, he died of the [[Plague (disease)|plague]] in 1583.<ref name=HG/> After his death, his two brothers and successors, [[Richard Corbet (died 1606)|Richard]] and Vincent Corbet, carried on with the building of the new manor, and leaving what was left of the original fortification.


===Civil War===
===Elizabethan house===
⚫
[[Image:Moretoncorbet1c.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Elizabethan building with medieval keep behind]]
During the [[English Civil War]], Moreton Castle was used as part of Royalist [[Shrewsbury]]'s defence. The castle was under [[siege]] on more than one occasion, and badly damaged in the fighting. At one time, the castle was captured by just ten parliamentary troops. It was finally taken from what amounted to a 'home guard' force by a crack Parliamentarian regiment.
In the 16th century, [[Andrew Corbet (died 1578)|Sir Andrew Corbet]] filled the courtyard to the east of the keep with a new house, stretching in a straight line to the south and west of the medieval structure.<ref name=HG/> The perimeter wall to the west and south of the tower is now almost completely removed, leaving a gap between the castle and the later house.


Corbet adapted the medieval gatehouse with a [[gothic architecture|gothic]] arch. In 1579, a year after Corbet had died,<ref name=mp>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/corbet-sir-andrew-1522-78 |website=History of Parliament Online |title=CORBET, Sir Andrew (1522-78) |first=N.M. |last=Fuidge |publisher=The History of Parliament Trust}}</ref> a carving of his monogram and the year were added, surmounting another rectangular stone bearing the family crest of an elephant and castle in relief.
==The Ruins==
The ruins can be visited during daylight hours free of charge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/moreton-corbet-castle/ |website=English Heritage |title=Moreton Corbet Castle > Prices and Opening Times}}</ref>


⚫
Corbet had a large domestic range built against the curtain wall, with kitchens below and accommodation above. East and south of the gatehouse, the domestic ranges opened into a [[great hall]]. A large fireplace is apparent on the first floor, with a smaller one on the lower floor. Doorways were made through the curtain wall to the latrines. The keep was converted into a storehouse.
1. The castle today is generally approached from the west, where there is visitor parking at the roadside, although there is an entrance on the northern edge of the site from the church. The distinction between the much-adapted medieval castle and the later Elizabethan house is immediately obvious. The Elizabethan building stretches in a straight line to the south of the older structure and well to the west of it.


⚫
South of the castle, Corbet's son [[Robert Corbet (died 1583)|Robert]]<ref name=mp /> had a wide but shallow house built in a more modern style, described by the noted antiquarian [[William Camden]] (1551–1623) as "a most gorgeous and stately house after the Italian model."<ref name=guidebook /> It seems to have been influenced by the [[classical architecture]] of Italian buildings that he saw on his diplomatic travels, including [[Andrea Palladio|Palladio's]] [[Basilica Palladiana]] in [[Vicenza]]. The building was faced with stone, but internally the walls were of brick. Although Italian in inspiration and elaborately decorated, much of the carving was of a rustic finish.<ref name =guidebook /> After Robert Corbet died of the [[Plague (disease)|plague]] in 1583,<ref name=HG/> his brothers [[Richard Corbet (died 1606)|Richard]] and Vincent Corbet carried on with the building of the new manor, leaving what was left of the original fortification.
2. The main path takes the visitor past most of the medieval and early Elizabethan castle to the gatehouse, which was much rebuilt in the sixteenth century. This was the entrance to the medieval building. Although he repaired and adapted it, Sir Andrew Corbet decided to retain this important defensive feature. Above the arch, his monogram and the date 1579 are carved on a square stone, surmounting another rectangular stone bearing the family crest of an elephant and castle in relief. As Corbet died on 16 August 1578,<ref name=mp>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/corbet-sir-andrew-1522-78 |website=History of Parliament Online |title=CORBET, Sir Andrew (1522-78) |first=N.M. |last=Fuidge |publisher=The History of Parliament Trust}}</ref> the carving must have been added to the building after his death, suggesting that it was still unfinished.


===Civil War===
3. The gatehouse is now roofless and open. Behind the pointed [[gothic architecture|gothic]] arch of the entrance, the [[corbel arch|corbel]] work that supported the roof and tower [[battlement]]s is still apparent.
During the [[English Civil War]], Moreton Castle was used as part of Royalist [[Shrewsbury]]'s defence. The castle was under [[siege]] on more than one occasion, and badly damaged in the fighting. The surviving ruins of the walls are pock-marked from [[musket]] shot. It was captured by a small Parliamentarian force in a night attack in September 1644, which deceived the Royalist garrison force into surrendering, believing the Parliamentarian force to be much larger.<ref name=guidebook /><ref>https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/moreton-corbet-castle/history/</ref><ref>https://shrewsburylocalhistory.org.uk/street-names/corbet-close</ref>


==Gallery==
⚫
4. Entering the inner courtyard and looking north, the layout of the medieval castle is apparent. The [[keep]] or great tower to the west was connected to the gatehouse by an irregular and much rebuilt [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]], which then curved south and looped to encircle the site, creating a [[Motte-and-bailey castle|bailey]] or courtyard. The walls are now in a ruinous state, allowing the church to appear in the background. All the masonry is much pock-marked by [[musket]] shot from the Civil War. Sir Andrew had a large domestic range built against this wall, with kitchens below and accommodation above.
⚫
<gallery mode=packed>

⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle Elephant2.JPG|Insignia of Sir Andrew Corbet above gatehouse door
⚫
5. At the western end of the extant curtain wall is a fine rectangular [[keep]] of two stories and a basement. It is difficult to date such structures and it could be as old as the eleventh century, although it more likely belongs to the twelfth.<ref name=HG/> or even early 13th.<ref name=guidebook>{{cite book |last=Ferris |first=Iain |date=2000 |title=Haughmond Abbey, Lilleshall Abbey, Moreton Corbet Castle |url= |location=London |publisher=English Heritage |page= |isbn=9781850747505 |access-date= }}.</ref> It was entered through an elevated doorway and the fireplaces on the lower residential floor are still visible. The tower was much used and rebuilt, finally becoming a storehouse for the sixteenth century house. It was still inhabited about 1700.
⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle keep 01.JPG|Remains of the great tower or keep

⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle great hall.JPG|Great hall, showing fireplaces and doors to latrines
6. The wall to the west and south of the tower is now almost completely removed, leaving a gap between the castle and the later house on this side.
⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle Elizabethan house interior 01.JPG|East end interior of Elizabethan house

⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle Chimera.JPG|[[Chimera (mythology)|Chimera]] on west corner of Elizabethan frontage
⚫
7. In filling the courtyard to the east of the keep, a mid-sixteenth century house was built by Sir Andrew Corbet.<ref name=HG/> East and south of the gatehouse, these Tudor domestic ranges opened into a [[great hall]]. The large fireplace is apparent on the first floor, with a smaller one on the lower floor. Doorways were made through the curtain wall to the latrines.
⚫
Moreton Corbet Castle Wyvern.JPG|[[Wyvern]] on east corner of Elizabethan frontage

⚫
<gallery>
File:Moreton Corbet Castle from west 01.JPG|1. General view of medieval castle from north-west, with Elizabethan house behind.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle gatehouse 01.JPG|2. Exterior of medieval gatehouse, viewed from north.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle gatehouse 02.JPG|3. Interior of medieval gatehouse.
File:Moreton Corbet Castle courtyard and church.JPG|4. Inner courtyard, with gatehouse to right and church in background.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle keep 01.JPG|5. Remains of the great tower or keep.
File:Moreton Corbet Castle keep and west range 01.JPG|6. Remains of the great tower or keep and part of west range. West rear of Elizabethan house behind.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle great hall.JPG|7. Site of Tudor great hall, the work of Sir Andrew Corbet, showing fireplaces and doors to latrines.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle Elizabethan house interior 01.JPG|8. East end interior of Elizabethan house.
File:Moreton Corbet Castle Elizabethan south entrance 01.JPG|9. South entrance to Elizabethan house.
File:Moreton Corbet Castle south frontage 01.JPG|10. West end of south frontage of the later Elizabethan house.
File:Moreton Corbet Castle Elizabethan house west.JPG|11. View of Elizabethan house from west.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle Chimera.JPG|12. Chimera on west corner of Elizabethan frontage.
⚫
File:Moreton Corbet Castle Wyvern.JPG|13. Wyvern on east corner of Elizabethan frontage.
</gallery>
</gallery>

⚫
8. South of the castle, Sir Andrew's son, Robert, who died in 1583,<ref name=mp /> had a wide but shallow house built in a more modern style, described by [[William Camden]] as "a most gorgeous and stately house after the Italian model."<ref name=guidebook /> It seems to have been influenced by Italian buildings seen by Robert on his diplomatic travels, including [[Andrea Palladio|Palladio's]] [[Basilica Palladiana]] in [[Vicenza]]. The building was faced with stone, but internally the walls were of brick.

9. It is possible to walk straight through the Elizabethan house and emerge through the main door in the south wall. This was elaborately decorated with carvings, like the rest of the facade.

10. The house is badly damaged and the western end is most complete.

11. Hence, viewing obliquely from the west gives a fair impression of the original design. Although Italian in inspiration and elaborately decorated, much of the carving was of a rustic finish.<ref name =guidebook />

12. A [[chimera (mythology)|chimera]] is carved on the south west corner.

13. A [[wyvern]] complements it at the other end of the facade.

==Current status==
Although repaired after the Civil War, the buildings fell into disuse during the 18th century, and were partially demolished. They are still owned by the Corbet Family, but managed by [[English Heritage]]. The family moved to [[Acton Reynald Hall]] in about 1800.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Grade I listed buildings in Shropshire]]
* [[Listed buildings in Moreton Corbet and Lee Brockhurst]]
* [[Castles in Great Britain and Ireland]]
* [[Castles in Great Britain and Ireland]]
* [[List of castles in England]]
* [[List of castles in England]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Moreton Corbet castle}}
{{Commons category|Moreton Corbet Castle}}
* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/moreton-corbet-castle/ Visitor information from English Heritage]
* {{Official website|https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/moreton-corbet-castle/}}
* [http://www.castles99.ukprint.com/Essays/moreton.html Moreton Corbet Castle]
* {{NHLE|desc=Moreton Corbet Castle|num= 1366802}}
* [http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/3154.html Bibliography of sources relating to Moreton Corbet Castle]
* [http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/3154.html Bibliography of sources relating to Moreton Corbet Castle]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3099052 Geograph® Britain and Ireland > Photos of Moreton Corbet castle and surrounding area]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3099052 Geograph® Britain and Ireland > Photos of Moreton Corbet castle and surrounding area]

{{coord|52.8045|N|2.6541|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Moreton Corbet Castle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moreton Corbet Castle}}

Latest revision as of 04:27, 7 November 2024

Moreton Corbet Castle
Shropshire, England
View from the west
Moreton Corbet Castle is located in Shropshire
Moreton Corbet Castle
Moreton Corbet Castle
Coordinates52°48′16″N 2°39′15″W / 52.8045°N 2.6541°W / 52.8045; -2.6541
Grid referencegrid reference SJ560232
TypeCastle
Site information
OwnerEnglish Heritage
ConditionRuined

Moreton Corbet Castle is a ruined medieval castle and Elizabethan era manor house, located near the village of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, England. It is a Grade I listed building and English Heritage property.[1] Although out of use since the 18th century, it remains the property of the Corbet family. It can be visited free of charge during daylight hours.[2]

History

[edit]

Medieval stronghold

[edit]
Medieval gatehouse with Elizabethan additions

In 1086 two Anglo Saxon thegns, Hunning and Wulfgeat, were living at Moreton Corbet. By the early thirteenth century the structure had been replaced by another, built by Toret, an Englishman. His descendant Peter Toret was lord of Moreton Corbet by 1166 and it is likely that he was living in the castle. In February 1216 William Marshall stormed Moreton Corbet castle on behalf of King John of England against Bartholomew Toret. At this time the castle was known as Moreton Toret Castle. In 1235 Bartholomew died and Richard de Corbet, his son-in-law, inherited the castle and changed its name to Moreton Corbet.[3][page needed]

The keep or great tower to the west was connected to the gatehouse by a curtain wall, which then curved south and looped to encircle the site, creating a bailey or courtyard. The roof of the gatehouse has not survived, but the corbel work that supported the roof and tower battlements of the castle is still extant.

At the western end of the extant curtain wall is a rectangular keep of two stories and a basement, dating from between the eleventh and early thirteenth centuries.[1][4] It was entered through an elevated doorway, and the fireplaces on the lower residential floor are still visible.

Elizabethan house

[edit]
Elizabethan building with medieval keep behind

In the 16th century, Sir Andrew Corbet filled the courtyard to the east of the keep with a new house, stretching in a straight line to the south and west of the medieval structure.[1] The perimeter wall to the west and south of the tower is now almost completely removed, leaving a gap between the castle and the later house.

Corbet adapted the medieval gatehouse with a gothic arch. In 1579, a year after Corbet had died,[5] a carving of his monogram and the year were added, surmounting another rectangular stone bearing the family crest of an elephant and castle in relief.

Corbet had a large domestic range built against the curtain wall, with kitchens below and accommodation above. East and south of the gatehouse, the domestic ranges opened into a great hall. A large fireplace is apparent on the first floor, with a smaller one on the lower floor. Doorways were made through the curtain wall to the latrines. The keep was converted into a storehouse.

South of the castle, Corbet's son Robert[5] had a wide but shallow house built in a more modern style, described by the noted antiquarian William Camden (1551–1623) as "a most gorgeous and stately house after the Italian model."[4] It seems to have been influenced by the classical architecture of Italian buildings that he saw on his diplomatic travels, including Palladio's Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza. The building was faced with stone, but internally the walls were of brick. Although Italian in inspiration and elaborately decorated, much of the carving was of a rustic finish.[4] After Robert Corbet died of the plague in 1583,[1] his brothers Richard and Vincent Corbet carried on with the building of the new manor, leaving what was left of the original fortification.

Civil War

[edit]

During the English Civil War, Moreton Castle was used as part of Royalist Shrewsbury's defence. The castle was under siege on more than one occasion, and badly damaged in the fighting. The surviving ruins of the walls are pock-marked from musket shot. It was captured by a small Parliamentarian force in a night attack in September 1644, which deceived the Royalist garrison force into surrendering, believing the Parliamentarian force to be much larger.[4][6][7]

[edit]
  • Insignia of Sir Andrew Corbet above gatehouse door
    Insignia of Sir Andrew Corbet above gatehouse door
  • Remains of the great tower or keep
    Remains of the great tower or keep
  • Great hall, showing fireplaces and doors to latrines
    Great hall, showing fireplaces and doors to latrines
  • East end interior of Elizabethan house
    East end interior of Elizabethan house
  • Chimera on west corner of Elizabethan frontage
    Chimera on west corner of Elizabethan frontage
  • Wyvern on east corner of Elizabethan frontage
    Wyvern on east corner of Elizabethan frontage

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Moreton Corbet Castle (1366802)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Moreton Corbet Castle > Prices and Opening Times". English Heritage.
  3. ^ Remfry, Paul Martin (2005). Moreton Corbet Castle, and the families of Verley, Toret and Corbet (New Revised ed.). [Wales]: Castle Studies Research & Publishing. ISBN 9781899376612.
  4. ^ a b c d Ferris, Iain (2000). Haughmond Abbey, Lilleshall Abbey, Moreton Corbet Castle. London: English Heritage. ISBN 9781850747505..
  5. ^ a b Fuidge, N.M. "CORBET, Sir Andrew (1522-78)". History of Parliament Online. The History of Parliament Trust.
  6. ^ https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/moreton-corbet-castle/history/
  7. ^ https://shrewsburylocalhistory.org.uk/street-names/corbet-close
[edit]
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