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Moreton Corbet

Moreton Corbet is a rural parish lying immediately to the north of Shawbury, Shropshire. The fairly large ruins of the Corbet family home appear literally to be sprouting from the middle of a field.

It is a site with many stories to be told about its crumbling walls. Not least is the curse that was put on the Corbet family during the reign of King James when the lord of the manor was Sir Vincent Corbett, at a time when the country was gripped by a hatred and fear of Puritans. Sir Vincent, however, was a tolerant lord and gave protection to Paul Holmyard, a somewhat outspoken person who lived in a neighbouring village. But despite this protection, Holmyard would not keep quiet and was eventually arrested and led off to Shrewsbury Gaol. When confronted by his former protector, Holmyard cursed Sir Vincent and said, 'Rejoice not in thy riches, for neither thou nor thy children, nor thy childrens' children shall inhabit these walls. They shall be given up to desolation and thy house shall be full of doleful creatures.' True to the words of the curse, the house was never completed and later members of the family 'wisely' decided to rebuild their house at Acton Reynald instead. Original text from www.shropshire-promotions.co.uk.