WAREHAM : ITS EVASIONS AND BATTLES. 109 



been granted for strengthening the walls ; the same month u Sir 

 Walter Erie and Sir Thomas Trenchard possessed themselves of 

 Wareham." The town was, however, speedily regained hy the 

 King's forces, and, " Sept. 2nd, 50 more was advanced for the 

 purpose of 'strengthening the walls.'" "Feb. 18th, 1643, the 

 garrisons of Wareham and Poole beat Lord Inchiquin's Irish 

 Eegiment, killed some, took several prisoners, two pieces of 

 ordnance, and fired their magazine." "Feb. 27th, 1643, a party 

 of the garrison of Wareham, under Captain Sydenham, was met at 

 Holme Bridge by some of Lord Inchiquin's regiment, twenty-five 

 foot and twenty horse, commanded by Captain Purton and his 

 lieutenant, who engaged the rebels, who had 300 horse and foot, 

 near five hours. The captain and lieutenant were both shot, and 

 ordered their men to lay them on the brink of the bridge, where 

 they encouraged their men till more of the king's forces coming to 

 their assistance, the rebels fled, leaving forty dead, and eight loads 

 of hay and provisions which they had plundered from the country. 

 The Royalists had twelve wounded but none killed ; the 

 lieutenant bled to death, encouraging his men with great 

 cheerfulness." " After the action at Holme Bridge it was again in 

 the hands of the Parliament." "In May, 1643, two hundredweight 

 of gunpowder was intercepted, and proclamation was made at 

 Wareham that no provision should be sold for her (Lady 

 Bankes') use." "JSTov. 23rd, 1643, the garrison of Poole went 

 up in boats to Wareham and surprised and plundered it." 

 " Nov. 25th, 1643, circiter, Captain Lay brought up 200 men 

 from Poole in vessels a mile below the town. They were opposed 

 at a breastwork ; but the enemy landed, the King's men retired 

 into the town, where they rallied in a body, and on the coming 

 up of the enemy fled at a gate behind them. Two hundred were 

 made prisoners, many arms, much ammunition, cattle and provisions 

 for the next day's market, much cloth and hay, was taken and 

 carried to Poole ; Captain Sydenham in the meantime summoned 

 Wimbourne to prevent any assistance." " In April, 1 644, the King's 

 forces surpriseed Wareham, as was suspected, by the treachery of. 



