WAREHAM : ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 99 



exaggeration. The size of the ships must be left to conjecture ; 

 but in the records of the Wareham ships the crews average from 

 15 to 20 men. For awhile the wars abated and the troops who had 

 landed at Wareham probably enjoyed a short well-earned repose 

 till the cry of battle was again raised and the struggle renewed 

 with greater force ; matters ever grew worse whilst Stephen was 

 king. Prince Henry, who had accompanied the Earl of .Gloucester 

 to Wareham, was a legitimate son of the Empress, by her husband, 

 Geoffrey of Anjou. This Prince, rightful heir to the English 

 throne, had been educated under the superintendence of his uncle, 

 who, considering it advantageous to his nephew, persuaded the 

 Earl of Anjou to allow his youthful son to accompany him to 

 England, and Henry, as we have seen, took ship for Wareham. 

 His sojourn was extended in this land till, from fear of Stephen, 

 it was deemed necessary to seek safety in flight. It is stated in 

 the Saxon annals that in 1146 "King Stephen prevailing, Prince 

 Henry being obliged to quit the kingdom, took ship at Wareham 

 for Anjou." During these wars " Robert, Earl of Gloucester, took 

 Lulwarde Castle for the Empress Maud," probably in 1146. 



In order to resist such determined opposition during the severe 

 struggle there is good reason to suppose that each party for their 

 own convenience maintained the strength and efficiency of the 

 fortifications. Stephen's troops had not the opportunity of 

 attacking the town by water that the forces of the Empress had. 

 The Wareham ships and those which brought the reinforcements 

 from Normandy could hold the harbour and guard the town 

 north, east, and south, so that the West Wall alone was liable to 

 be attacked by forces on land. Here we see the necessity for the 

 West Wall being more strongly guarded than the others. 



About a mile west of this wall lies Wargate, or Worthgate. 

 Worth, Mr. Sumner observes, signifies a fort or ward gate, from 

 ward and watch being kept there. Hutchins says that the 

 ramparts on the brow of the hill west of Wargate look like some 

 advanced works or outposts. The advantage of this outpost is 

 apparent, because, situated on a high ground on the narrow strip of 



