WAREHAM I ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 93 



encircling their camps with great earthworks to form a central 

 station, from which they ravaged all the surrounding country." 

 Occasionally they had the mortification of watching from their 

 entrenchments advantages taken by the Saxons, who were not slow 

 to avail themselves of an opportunity. Supposing, then, that the 

 foundation of the Walls be attributed to the Danes, much credit is 

 due to them for the large amount of work accomplished in so short 

 a time. According to Hutchins, ancient Wareham was rated at ten 

 hides, and as the hide of the Saxon, like the caracute of the Norman, 

 varied from 100 to 120 acres, we have another proof that Wareham 

 must have been a considerable place. The enclosed area is estimated 

 at about one hide, and there can be no two opinions the most 

 important part was recognised and fortified. According to Dugdale, 

 Henry II. confirmed by charter " one hide of land in Warham," 

 which William de Waimuta had presented to the Abbey of Lyra. 

 The advantage Wareham offered to the Danes was an excellent 

 harbourage, affording every facility for landing and embarking ; 

 whilst the high ground to the west afforded unusual opportunities 

 for furthering their designs upon the kingdom of Wessex." 



Eventually King Alfred marched with his troops to rescue the 

 town from the hand of the enemy. " That prince so straightened 

 them in these quarters that they were content to come to a treaty 

 with him, and stipulated to depart his country." We gather from 

 the Saxon Chronicle that the Danes took the oaths demanded by 

 Alfred, delivered the required hostages from amongst their 

 distinguished men, and departed from the fortress both by land and 

 water. They are, however, accused of stealing the King's horses, 

 and the treaty they failed to keep. When tranquillity had been 

 somewhat restored Wareham regained some of its prosperity ; the 

 ruined Nunnery is said to have been rebuilt by Alfred's daughter, 

 and, with such a keen recollection of past events, it is reasonable to 

 suppose that monarch strengthened its defences. The invasions 

 continued ; for above two centuries Wareham has been described 

 as a theatre of war ; the neighbourhood frequently presented all the 

 terrific horrors of a gigantic battles field, and the earth continually 



