More information : (SO 66959389) St Gregory's Church (NAT) Collegiate (NR)
(SO 66849400) Morville Hall on site of (NAT) Priory (NR) (1)
Morville was formerly a collegiate church for 8 canons dedicated to St Gregory - founded before 1066. In 1118 a new church was consecrated here which had been built by the monks of Shrewsbury. It was converted into a Benedictine cell in about 1138, maintaining a prior and two monks. It was dissolved in 1540. There is now no trace of a Saxon collegiate church here, and a tradition that fragments of the cell are incorporated in Morville Hall appears to be unfounded, although 12th century stones have been re-used in its walls. (2-5)
A long Monastic stewpond, which still exists, is mentioned in
1546. (6)
St Gregory's Church remains in use. No 12th century work could be seen in the external walling of Morville Hall, and there are no remains of the Priory except in the garden at SO66849394 where a few architectural fragments of Medieval date lie on some irregular earth covered mounds. Their provenance is unknown but it is possible that they are from the church, which was extensively restored in the 19th century.
Miss Bythell (a) identified 'the long Monastic stewpond' as the one shown on OS 1/2500 at SO 66809391. It is thought to have been originally three ponds. It is now 145.0m in length and 13.0m in width, and is water-filled. In its present form it has a relatively modern appearance, and appears to be contemporary with the rest of the garden. Two adjoining ponds at the back of the house at SO 66819404, measure 28.0m by 16.0m., and 14.0m by 8.0m. They do not fit into the present, probably 18th century,layout of the grounds and may be Medieval fishponds. They still contain water and are as shown on OS 1/2500. (7)
(SO 66959389) Church (NAT) (8)
Church of
St Gregory
SO 69 SE 21/16 9.3.70.
Collegiate church with long chancel, mostly late Norman. Fine early Norman chancel arch. Nave arcades have Transitional mouldings. The tall western tower has thick walls with flat buttresses. 14th century stained glass window in chancel. Norman font. (9) |