Abberley Castle

Has been described as a Possible Masonry Castle

There are no visible remains

NameAbberley Castle
Alternative NamesAbbatsley; Aberle; Abbatisle; Abbotleye; Abbedeleye
Historic CountryWorcestershire
Modern AuthorityWorcestershire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil ParishAbberley

There is documentary reference to Abberley Castle by Leland, who states that there was a castle at Abberley in the time of the Earl of Warwick, presumably the Earl attainted in the reign of Henry VII. The site is not known, but may be the site of the later Abberley Hall (PastScape)

Circa 1710. Given to Ralph de Todeni circa 1310 by Marriage to Thomas de Leybarme, Guy de Beauchamp and William of Warwick. 1499 to crown. circa 1532 Henry gave to Will Walshe. 19th Century to Moillets. Site uncertain - suggests on Merrits Hill. Describes 1405 skirmish against Welsh. English defended Abberley Hill, after 8 days Meredith led several successful skirmishes on west spur of Abberley Hill, now called Merritts Hill, where he seems to have met with some success, though unable to capture old 'keep' or tower which then occupied site of Abberly Hall. A castle has been identified (4410) by Mr Comley but this may not represent the site of Abberley Castle itself. (Worcestershire and Worcester City HER)

Gatehouse Comments

King writes only mentioned in Leland's time. However, a parker is mentioned in 1280 and the park at Abberley is mention in 1349. Abberley Hall is some distance from the church but presumably started as a lodge within the park.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO744664
Latitude52.2954292297363
Longitude-2.37513995170593
Eastings374400
Northings266400
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 508
  • Page, Wm and Willis-Bund, J.W. (eds), 1924, VCH Worcestershire Vol. 4 p. 220 online transcription
  • Moilliet, J., 1905, Abberley Manor, Worcestershire (Elliot Stock)
  • Nash, T., 1781, Collections for a History of Worcestershire (London: T Payne and son) Vol. 1 p. 5

Antiquarian

  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England  (Sutton Publishing) p. 517
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1910, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 5 p. 9 online copy
  • Amphlett, J. (ed), 1895, A Survey of Worcestershire by Thomas Habington (b.1560-d.1647) (Oxford: James Parker for Worcestershire Historical Society) Vol. 2 p. 1, 2, 13, 22, 158, 211 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1905, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1348-50) Vol. 8 p. 311, 322view online copy