252 



Ancient Hidory of Shaftesbury. 



intrcnchincnts though modernized by the club-men during the 

 civil war in Charles 1st time, appear to have been of Roman 

 construction. 1 



During the occupation of Britain by the Romans the town is 

 said to have been one of their favorite stations. Here it is also 

 reported was a temple to Pallas ; 2 and some would have it, that 

 hence the name " Caer Palladur;" but the name I believe existed 

 before any such temple, if indeed there ever was one. The Temple 

 however is not only said to have existed but to have been very 

 magnificent, served by its several courses of priests, called Flamens 

 under an Arch-flamen ; 3 hence quaint old Fuller takes occasion 

 to say, that he believes the whole story to be " flams and arch-flams, 

 even notorious falsehoods." 4 Be this as it may the Romans cer- 

 tainly resided much in this town and neighbourhood. This is 

 evident from the number of Roman coins found, from the Roman 

 Intrenchments on Castle Hill, and from the causeway approaching 

 the town from Sherborne, which may be conjectured to be of Roman 

 origin. A few years since also in excavating for the foundation of 

 the house in the High Street now occupied by Mr. White, Roman 

 Architectural remains of the Doric order, as I am informed, 5 and 

 seemingly of a building of considerable magnitude and importance 

 were discovered. 6 Could this have been the Temple of Pallas ? 

 I ought perhaps before proceeding with the history of the town to 

 give one or two other suggestions which have been made as to the 

 origin of its name. It may, it is said, have arisen from the seeming 

 shaft-like spur or promontory on which it is built ; but viewed 

 from the country round, the eminence on which the town stands 

 rather seems to form the horn of a bow. It has also been suggested 

 that the words " Palladur" may be read "Pal " or "Pel a dwr," 

 i.e. " far from water/' 1 This however does not agree with the Saxon 

 equivalent " Shaftesbury," and with respect to water, there are 



1 Hutchins. Hist. Dorset, Introduction, p. 12. 2 Hutchins. 



3 Geoffrey of Monmouth, 4 Book i., Cent. II. , 9. 



5 By W. Batten, Esq., Agent to the Marquis of Westminster. 

 6 Roman remains have also been discovered, as I think, among the foundations 

 of the abbey church now in course of excavation. 



