Castlemorris

Castlemorris
Castlemorris
Castlemorris shown within Pembrokeshire
OS grid reference SM9042632387
Community
Principal area
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Police Dyfed-Powys
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK Parliament
Welsh Assembly

Castlemorris (also Castle Morris, Castle Maurice or Casmorys) is a small village in the parish and community of Mathry, Pembrokeshire, Wales, south of the Western Cleddau river, on the B4331 road between Mathry and Letterston. It has a population of roughly 150 people.

History

The Welsh manor (maenor) of Castle Morris lay within the ancient Cantref of Pebediog (later the Hundred of Dewisland).[1] The manor was granted to Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan by his brother David FitzGerald, then the second Norman approved bishop of St David's,[2]

Castle Morris may have acquired its name (Castell Maurice) in the 12th century from Maurice FitzGerald, but it may be a far more ancient relic of the pre-Norman Welsh name - Castell Marlais - Marlais then being the name of the reach of the Western Cleddau river which flows immediately below the village.

In 1302 Sir John Wogan, chancellor of St David's, secured a grant of the manor of Castle Morris for the bishop of St David's.[3]

To the northeast of the village crossroads is the Grade II-listed farmhouse of Pencnwc, a substantial early and late 19th century building that was formerly part of the Bishop of St Davids' estate, leased by Abraham Leach in 1843, and occupied by William Evans.[4] The farm occupies the site of a former timber castle with stone foundations, of which there are no longer any visible remains.[5]

There was a village shop in 1902.[6] From 1906 George Evans was the village smith.[7] In 1910 the village shop, smithy, cottages and 43 acres of land were put up for auction, but bidding only reached £1,900 and the lot was withdrawn.[8] The village had a post office in 1916.[9]

Notable people

Brian Morris (1930-2001), poet, critic and Professor of Literature, took the title Baron Morris of Castle Morris when made a life peer in 1990.[10]

Today

Gwesty Bach, Castlemorris

The building that housed the former shop and post office is now Gwesty Bach, the village pub.

References

  1. ↑ Charles, B. G., The Placenames of Pembrokeshire, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1992, ISBN 0-907158-58-7, p 197
  2. ↑ Walker, David (2004). "David fitz Gerald (c.1103x9–1176)" ((subscription or UK public library membership required)). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7209. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Dictionary of Welsh Biography: WOGAN families, Pembrokeshire". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "British listed Buildings: Pencnwc,b4331 (N.side) Castle Morris/Casmorys, Mathry". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "RCAHMW: Castle Morris". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Castlemorris". The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Castlemorris". The County Echo. 25 October 1906. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Property Sale". Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph. 3 August 1910. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "Death of Mrs Thomas, Castlemorris". Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph. 27 December 1916. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "Lord Morris of Castle Morris: Obituary". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
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