Mourholme facts for kids
Mourholme, also known by names like Maurholme, Morhull, or Merhull, was once an important place in northern England. It was a manor, which means it was a large estate with a big house or castle, located in what is now the Warton area of Lancashire, near Carnforth.
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What Was Mourholme Castle?
Mourholme was home to a castle, though we don't know much about it. Historians are not sure if it was built from wood or strong stone. Castles were very important long ago. They were used to protect land and people.
A Castle Surrendered
In the year 1216, the castle, sometimes called "Merhull", was given up to King John of England. It was surrendered by a person named Gilbert Fitz Reinfred. This event shows how important the castle was at that time. Giving up a castle was a big deal in medieval times.
Where Was Mourholme Castle Located?
The castle was in north Lancashire, England. Today, this area is part of the Warton parish. It is found north of the town of Carnforth. If you look at a map, it's east of the main A6 road and west of the M6 motorway.
What Happened to Mourholme Castle?
The site where Mourholme Castle once stood has changed a lot over time. In 1975, experts tried to dig up parts of the site. This is called an excavation. They wanted to learn more about the old castle.
Damage and Flooding
Sadly, the castle site had already been damaged before the excavation. This damage happened because of something called gravel extraction. This is when gravel, a type of small stone, is dug out of the ground. After this, the area was flooded. Today, the site of the castle is covered by water. This water forms a lake called Pine Lake. Pine Lake is now part of a fun leisure park.
How Is Mourholme Remembered Today?
Even though the castle is gone, the name "Mourholme" is still used. It helps us remember the history of the area.
The Mourholme Local History Society
There is a group called the "Mourholme Local History Society". This society is for the old parish of Warton, Lancashire. They are interested in the history of several nearby places. These places include Borwick, Carnforth, Priest Hutton, Silverdale, Warton, Yealand Conyers, and Yealand Redmayne. The society also publishes a magazine. It is called The Mourholme Magazine of Local History. This magazine shares stories and facts about the local past.
