102 WAREHAM : ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 



At this point the height of the wall is given at 50 feet. As we 

 come to the north entrance we observe Nature's part of the forti- 

 fications. The bastions of the North Wall are evidences of 

 prodigious strength, but their appearance is more natural than 

 artificial, as it will be observed that each side of the street is level 

 with them. Here probably gates of great strength, or a portcullis 

 of ponderous weight, existed, which, when closed or lowered, formed 

 a formidable barrier to the enemy. This was an important entrance 

 to the town and doubtless frequently opened to admit the English 

 monarchs and their retinues who, for various reasons, constantly 

 visited the town. The length of this wall is given as 1,960 feet, 

 gradually declining 415 feet towards the east end, where it joins the 

 East Wall. Viewed from the causeway the importance of this gate 

 is manifest, and the base of the wall offers a good landing place for 

 ships that required deeper water or sought the shelter this formid- 

 able wall offered. The more this wall is studied the more its 

 extraordinary strength appears, and when we consider that probably 

 well nigh 1800 years have elapsed since their construction, we 

 have no room to doubt that ancient Wareham was an impregnable 

 fortress. The East Wall, 1,600ft., was the shortest, the average height 

 30 feet. This was, perhaps, the weakest and least important ; but 

 was, however, protected by a breastwork midway between the wall 

 and the sea, where at a later period invaders were resisted. At the 

 angle of these walls there exists a small fortification, as it were in 

 miniature, 180 feet by 90. Neither Mr. Warne nor Hutchins 

 discovered its use, though the latter considered it designed for some 

 military purpose. This is known as the Bowling Green, suggestive 

 rather that our forefathers enjoyed a game of bowls as well as 

 cockfighting. 



Ancient Wareham will substantiate to a large extent the records 

 of the historians ; and a tour of exploration may prove that they 

 have not erred. Those of us who have embraced the opportunity 

 offered on rare occasions by extraordinary high tides to realise 

 somewhat of Wareham as a fortified town and harbour have been 

 rewarded. No better point of vantage ground for the purpose 



