WAREHAM : ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 107 



Wareham's prosperity as a noted harbour was declining. It is a 

 reasonable conjecture that the retreat of the sea took place at the 

 end of the 14th or early in the 15th century, subsiding perhaps 

 somewhat suddenly. Hutchins gave an instance of the sea 

 retreating in one place, as it advanced in another, and it is possible 

 that a careful investigation would reveal the fact that the natural 

 channel there is mention of a second for the passage of the water 

 to and from the river was widened through the bed whence the sea 

 had subsided in order to encourage the breeding of salmon. In 

 1347 Wareham was in a state of military excitement, fitting ships 

 for war. In 1431 a court was held at Wareham for the preserva- 

 tion of the river, and the inhabitants prohibited from sweeping 

 rubbish therein. The profits arising from the salmon fishery in the 

 reign of Henry VII. were considerable ; the revenue is stated to 

 have been settled on Catherine of Arragon for a dowry ; and, we 

 are informed, the divorced Queen Catherine " retained her 

 salmon fishery." Lewis informs us that " so abundant and cheap 

 was this fish that the curious stipulation inserted in the indentures 

 of the apprentices that they should not be compelled to eat of it 

 more than thrice a week, prevailed here as in various other places." 

 Thirty salmon were caught June 7th, 1776, and, scarce a century 

 ago, the Corporation enjoyed their three annual salmon feasts. 

 The channel in which the water of the Pydel ran through the bed 

 whence the sea had subsided north of the town was preserved and 

 utilised as a mill stream. A copy of letter exists, the purport of 

 which was to obtain a mill stone from Normandy, written by Robert 

 Laidimis, a "Parsone of Martyne of Warham," and dated 21st 

 September, 1440. Wareham, as a harbour, was ruined by the 

 retreat of the sea ; the salmon fishery and the trade of the town, 

 as far as shipping was concerned, was ruined by the neglect of the 

 river by the inhabitants, notwithstanding the frequent courts of 

 enquiry and the officers appointed to guard its banks. The story 

 of the disgusted salmon who indignantly bade adieu to Wareham 

 waters is most amusing, though full of stubborn truth. To the 

 drainage which ran down South-street, and the washing of the town 



