230 OLD PORTLAND. 



become less and less an island as the years have gone on." 

 Which, being interpreted, means that the narrow isthmus 

 (the Chesil Beach) now joining Portland to " the adjacent 

 island of Great Britain " has become more and more well- 

 defined with the passing of the years. The insularity of 

 the old-time Portlander was exemplified thoroughly by 

 the man nearing 80 who said that he had "never been to 

 England yet, and had no intention of ever going." But 

 the old-time Portlander will soon be extinct. 



II. Bufus Castle. 



This Norman castle has by ancient tradition borne the 

 name of " Rufus," and there is hardly sufficient reason to 

 challenge the tradition that it was a royal castle built towards 

 the end of the Red King's reign* as a fortress chiefly against 

 invaders by sea. The Keep, which formerly stood in a field, 

 but is now at the cliff's edge, has become a mere shell ; it 

 is of unusual shape, pentagonal, and is cleverly constructed 

 of Portland stone. Its walls are over seven feet in thickness, 

 and are pierced with small circular loopholes for archers ; 

 hence the building is also known as Bow and Arrow Castle. 

 The machicolated corbels, in groups of three together, would 

 have been utilised for hurling down stones, melted lead, 

 pitch, and other missiles. 



The Castle has figured only once in English history in 

 the Civil War, wherein the Empress Maud attempted to 

 dethrone Stephen. The castle was the King's and, accord- 

 ing to William of Malmesbury, he fortified it ; but in 1142 

 it was taken by Robert, the turbulent Earl of Gloucester, 

 on behalf of his half-sister, the Empress. Maud was at 



* It is a curious coincidence that the first baronial owner of the 

 Manor of Portland should have been known as " Rufus." This was 

 Gilbert de Clare (1243-95), who was the 9th Earl of Clare, and also Earl 

 of Hertford and of Gloucester. " Bufus " was not at all an unccnnrnon 

 surname or nickname in early times. 



