Castlemorris

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Castlemorris
Aerial Photograph of Castle Morris - geograph.org.uk - 946657.jpg
Pembrokeshire UK location map.svg
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Castlemorris
Location within Pembrokeshire
OS grid reference SM9042632387
Community
Principal area
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Haverfordwest
Postcode district SA62
Police Dyfed-Powys
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Pembrokeshire
51°56′36″N5°03′12″W / 51.9434°N 5.0534°W / 51.9434; -5.0534 Coordinates: 51°56′36″N5°03′12″W / 51.9434°N 5.0534°W / 51.9434; -5.0534

Castlemorris (Welsh : Casmorys; also known as Castle Morris or Castle Maurice) 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.

Contents

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.

There was a village shop in 1902. [5] From 1906 George Evans was the village smith. [6] 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shop, smithy, cottages and 43 acres of land were put up for auction, but bidding only reached £1,900 and the lot was withdrawn. [7] The village had a post office in 1916. [8]

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. [9]

Today

Gwesty Bach, Castlemorris Pub at Castlemorris - geograph.org.uk - 1747592.jpg
Gwesty Bach, Castlemorris

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

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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". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7209.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. "WOGAN families, Pembrokeshire". Dictionary of Welsh Biography . Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  4. "Pencnwc". British listed Buildings. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  5. "Castlemorris". The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  6. "Castlemorris". The County Echo. 25 October 1906. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  7. "Property Sale". Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph. 3 August 1910. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  8. "Death of Mrs Thomas, Castlemorris". Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph. 27 December 1916. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  9. "Lord Morris of Castle Morris: Obituary". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 September 2016.