98 WAREHAM : ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 



first Earl of Gloucester. " He adhered to the Empress Maud, and 

 brought her over to England 1138 ;" and in August of that year 

 the struggle between Maud and Stephen commenced. Both the 

 Empress and Stephen recognised the importance of Wareham, and 

 the same year both Castle and town were taken by Maud's party. 

 In the Earl of Gloucester the Empress found an able champion, 

 who warmly advocated her cause, and directed her forces with great 

 ability. In the fifth year of Stephen's reign, at which period 

 Warinus de Liforiis, or Lifures, was Sheriff of Dorset, hostilities 

 were resumed in the neighbourhood. Corfe Castle, that year 

 according to Lewis, " was taken by Baldwyn de Kedvers with a 

 body of Xormans ; " but Hutchins asserts it " was delivered to 

 him by the governor;" the King's efforts to retake it being 

 unsuccessful. A reason now suggests itself for improvements in 

 the fortifications of Wareham, as the struggle was growing more 

 desperate. In the year 1142, " Stephen, having marched to 

 Wilton with the design of there raising a fortress to check the 

 garrisons of Wareham (and Salisbury) was attacked by Matilda's 

 forces under the command of the Earl of Gloucester, and his army 

 routed with great slaughter." Eeinforcements were also necessary 

 for the Empress ; consequently " The Earl of Gloucester embarked 

 here to solicit succours from the Earl of Anjou, 1142. In his 

 absence, King Stephen burnt the town and took the Castle," which 

 Herbert de Laci appears to have defended. Kobert, on his return, 

 " conducted over Prince Henry with a body of forces, who landed 

 at Wareham 1142, which, being then in the king's possession, he 

 besieged and took the Castle after three months' siege, and signalised 

 himself in these wars." Again the town, harbour, and castle were 

 retaken. Subsequently, we are informed, that Kobert's son, 

 " William, was by his father made Governor of Wareham Castle." 

 Some idea can be formed of the extent of Wareham Harbour from 

 an inspection of the locality ; and of the strength of Wareham 

 Castle by its sustaining a three months' siege. According to 

 Hutchins the troops were brought in 52 ships, so that the term 

 "noted port," applied to it by Gervase of Canterbury was no 



