150 THE ROMAN OCCUPATION OF WAREHAM. 



antiquities will direct their attention. Amongst the relics of 

 British and Roman periods existing in Wareham, and worthy 

 more attention from competent antiquaries, are (i) an inscribed 

 stone, the inscription on which the late Rev. W. Barnes 

 attributed to the British period. (2) An inscribed stone dis- 

 covered in 1841 when the nave of Lady St. Mary's Church was 

 rebuilt. This stone bears what the Rev. C. Bingham termed 

 " the remarkable Runic inscription :" and what the Rev. W. Barnes 

 believed to be " an inscription on a Roman votive altar, probably 

 by some Roman soldier." 



Such, with the Roman relics hereafter to be described, 

 discovered around and within the ramparts of Wareham, the 

 various names of the ancient British fortress, the ground plan, 

 position of the town at the confluence of two rivers, a situation 

 in which the Romans particularly delighted, and the almost 

 square shape of the earthen ramparts, all help to support, if not 

 confirm, the much disputed Roman occupation of Wareham. 

 But whilst those unacquainted with the subject doubt and 

 dispute, it is exceedingly gratifying to hear from such authorities 

 as Mr. J. C. Mansel-Pleydell and Mr. John Bellows that they 

 consider the evidences of the Roman occupation of Wareham 

 incontestable. The 100 acres encircled by formidable earthen 

 walls would accommodate a large garrison ; and the unusual 

 natural advantages of the situation are beyond question. 



Competent antiquaries have made no research in Wareham, 

 and consequently no discoveries. By the working men the most 

 important relics have been unearthed ; and by the finders they 

 have unfortunately been disposed of and dispersed ; the result 

 being that many relics of antiquity, capable of throwing light on 

 this debated subject and Wareham's ancient importance, have 

 been carried thence to other places. Let it be remembered 

 that for the Roman relics hereafter mentioned as having been 

 discovered within the walls, no special search was made. All 

 were accidentally discovered. 



The author of " The Beauties of England and Wales," Lewis 

 in his Top. Diet., Mr. Warne in " Ancient Dorset," and others, 



