Built / Designed For: Sir Andrew Corbet and Robert Corbet

House & Family History: The roughly triangular late 16th century house of red and yellow-gray sandstone with ashlar dressings was built around earlier buildings, including the circa 1200 keep (today a partial ruin). This great Renaissance style house (one of the earliest examples in Shropshire of the Italian Renaissance) was built for Sir Andrew Corbet (died 1579) and Robert Corbet (died 1583). The 12th century East Range was altered in the 1560s, while the L-shaped South Range is dated 1578 and may have been designed by Robert Corbet, who is known to have visited Italy, France, and the Low Countries during his diplomatic missions. In 1644, during the Civil War, the House, a Royalist stronghold, was stormed and burned by Parliamentary forces. Moreton Corbet never recovered from its slights during the Civil War and is today a ruin.

Comments: Pevsner: "Architecturally it was amongst the most impressive and consistent designs in the country."

Garden & Outbuildings: There is a 14th century Gatehouse to north that was altered in the late 16th century.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 209, 1854.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, 12th century. Toret family, until 1235. Corbet family.

Current Ownership Type: English Heritage

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01604-730-320

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No