MORLEY CASTLE

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Fragmentary earthwork remains of moated castle, possibly 15th century.

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TG 028176. Morley Castle (NR) (site of) (NAT) (1)

Of the castle of the Ryes or Beaufoes (Domesday mention) there are no remains save a moated space adjoining Castle Farm, with a few traces of foundations. Very few traces of the castle walls are left, not a single fragment rising a foot above the ground. The foundations of two walls at right angles with each other may be seen among trees in the south-west corner; and further to the east is a mass of concrete 3 to 4ft long. Traces of foundations may also be seen on the south-east (probably means south-west) edge of the moat which is now used as a farm road: and there is a good deal of masonry in the sides of the moat in the plantation. (2)

The remains of a defensive moat in poor condition. The river formed the north and west arms while the south and east arms were man-made. The whole site has been subject to modern landscaping and tipping.

The area centred at TG 02771770 has been terraced and raised slightly above its surroundings and is probably the site of the castle.

Remains of building foundations can be seen at TG 02741767, but it is impossible to trace any regular formation. Retaining banks exist alongside the river on the north of the site and in the south-west corner. The entrance to the site is from the south and is almost certainly in its original position.

Roman "gold" coins were found whilst gardening at TG 02771770 by Mr G Marsh (a farmworker) and are now at Norwich Castle Museum.

A plaque attached to a sign-board on Swanton Morley village green states that "William de Morley" was Lord of the Manor in the C15th, hence Morley Castle.

Published survey (1:2500) revised on AM. (3)

Only one Roman coin was handed in to the Museum, this was a bronze of Constantine I found in 1962 by G A Marsh (see TG 01 NW 13). (4)

TG 028177. The site is within a meander of the River Wensum to west and north, approx. 1.5m above the flood plain. The south and east boundaries have a shallow (1m) moat, partly grassed in south west, the remainder wooded with a modern drain incised along the south east part. Central area is grassland with irregular undulations and a vegetable plot. No evidence surviving of masonry or moat revetting. (5)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1958

( 2) General reference

The Hundred of Launditch Pt 3 1879 417 (G A Carthew)

( 3) Field Investigators Comments

F1 JB 28-FEB-73

( 4a) Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F2 FDC 21-JUN-77

(5) Field Investigators Comments

Cushion B R, 26-Jan-1993, RCHME/NLA Earthwork Survey Fieldwork

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