Moreton Corbet Castle

Moreton Corbet Castle is an English Heritage property located near the village of Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, England. The ruins are from two different eras: a medieval stronghold and an Elizabethan manor house. The buildings have been out of use since the 18th century.

History

Medieval Stronghold

Medieval building

The first stone building, which replaced a wooden fort, was built by Thegn Bartholomew Toret around 1200 CE. He was one of the few Saxons who had not been replaced by a Norman Lord. One of his descendants married the Norman lord Richard Corbet in 1239, and Moreton Corbet remains the property of the Corbet family to this day.

Elizabethan House

Elizabethan building

In the 16th century, Andrew Corbet made many alterations to the gatehouse and the perimeter wall. When he died in 1579, his son, Robert Corbet, 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 in 1583.

After his death, his two brothers, Richard and Vincent Corbet, carried on with the building of the new manor, and leaving what was left of the original fortification.

Civil War

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.

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

Haunting

It is said the grounds are haunted by the ghost of Paul Holmyard. He was a Puritan, who at the time of their persecution, was given protection by Vincent Corbet. But as the Puritans became more fanatical, Vincent Corbet felt he could no longer provide protection, and Paul Holmyard was forced to leave.

Paul Holmyard, took shelter in the nearby woods. One day, when Vincent Corbet, was planning some more building work, Paul Holmyard appeared and put a curse on him. From that day, Vincent Corbet never lived in the building again.

External Links

52°48′16.04″N 2°39′8.63″W