96 WAREHAM I ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 



Norman power supplanted the Danish, and though a considerable 

 portion of the town was in ruins Wareham was of sufficient 

 importance to be among the manors retained by the Conqueror. 

 A work of restoration was now commenced. Wareham Castle, the 

 noted stronghold, was built, and Corfe Castle enlarged. Mr. 

 Burrowes suggests the probability that "Durandas, upon whom 

 William the Conqueror bestowed the Manor of Moleham, in 

 Swanwie " . . . " was superintendent or master carpenter what 

 perhaps now would be called architect (1) of the most important 

 works at Corfe Castle, notably the Great or King's Tower ; if not 

 also of the works at Wareham Castle." " The re-erection of Wareham 

 Castle added to the importance of the town, this stronghold being 

 garrisoned by successive monarchs for various reasons. The Castle 

 is stated to have been built by the Conqueror on a hide of land, for 

 which he gave the Church of St. Mary of Gelingeham, with its 

 appendage, -worth 40s., to the Abbey of Shaston." The site of 

 Wareham Castle was at the south-west angle of the town by the 

 water's edge, the portion of land actually occupied being estimated 

 at about 20 acres ; but the records concerning this transaction are 

 somewhat conflicting. Kingstone in Purbeck, two hides of land in 

 the parish of Arne, and a portion of Wareham appear to 

 have belonged to the Abbess of Shaftesbury; and it is not 

 improbable that these were amongst the lands King Alfred, 

 " for his soul's health," bestowed by charter on that 

 house. Saxon monarchs had the privilege of bestowing 

 lands without the consent of the Witan and the Church 

 of receiving ani retaining the same without charter or deed of 

 transfer. 



By the untimely death of the Conqueror's two sons, the throne 

 of England was again vacant, and Robert being in Normandy his 

 younger brother made successful efforts to obtain the crown and 

 power, which he assumed under the title of Henry the First. 

 Apparently, Henry bestowed a portion of the Manor of Wareham 

 on the then Earl of Leicester, for, at a later period, a descendant of 

 that house, Earl Gilbert, established a claim to certain privileges, 



