WAREHAM I ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 103 



could be found than the walls, and no better idea could be 

 suggested. The great body of water extends to Holme Bridge, 

 filling the space between Wareham and Stowborough, and, as the 

 passengers are conveyed across in small boats, a thought of the 

 ancient mode of crossing suggests itself viz., the ferry. The 

 meadows north of the town are not flooded to the same extent, 

 yet sufficiently to substantiate the theory that Wareham was 

 surrounded on three sides by water. The walls of Wareham are 

 entitled to respect : they are worthy any efforts for preservation ; 

 long have they borne the scars of conflict silent evidences of 

 Wareham's ancient glory and long may these grand old 

 ruins still remain unharmed, except by the ravages of time. 

 In the reign of King John there was much excitement and warlike 

 commotion at Wareham, that monarch being well acquainted with 

 the town. The extensive hunting grounds of Purbeck he placed 

 under Forest Laws. John had several hunting lodges and residences 

 in the locality, amongst them Whitcliffe in Purbeck and Tollard 

 Royal for the Cranborne Chase. There are records of business 

 transacted and certain privileges, inter alia, a fair granted at Bere 

 Regis ; but Corfe Castle was considered the safest place for the 

 regalia. John's expenditure on Corfe Castle was great, and there 

 is reason to suppose that he personally inspected the improvements 

 at this stately fortress ; the fortifications at Wareham contributed 

 to its protection. In the year 1201 John was at war with France, 

 and " at the siege of Mirabel " many of the highest and noblest were 

 taken prisoners, amongst them his nephew Arthur. Many of these 

 prisoners were sent over to England, but the unfortunate Prince, 

 towards whom his uncle exhibited much animosity, was " shut up 

 in the Castle of Falaise." Being anxious to get rid of this trouble- 

 some nephew, John " proposed to William de la Bray, one of his 

 servants, to dispatch Arthur, but William replied that he was a 

 gentleman not a hangman ; and he positively refused compliance." 

 John next requested one of his chamberlains, Hubert de Bourgh, 

 the Governor of Falaise Castle, to murder Arthur. Shakespeare, in 

 King John, Act IV., Scene I., gives the conversation supposed to 



