More information : Wareham was formerly a port (last mentioned in 1347) and
a royal borough, situated near the end of a long, narrow peninsula
between the rivers Frome and Piddle near their confluence at Poole
Harbour. Minor occupation from the early Iron Age to later Roman
period is attested here (See SY 98 NW 16) but the first major
settlement occurred in the 9th century with the foundation of the
defended Anglo-Saxon burh (SY 98 NW 25). The Saxon town included
a 10th century mint (SY 98 NW 31) and the still extant churches
of St Martin (SY 98 NW 34) and St Mary (SY 98 NW 30). The development
of Wareham in the early medieval period included the establishment
of a Benedictine Priory cell (SY 98 NW 27) and the 12th century, or
earlier, castle (SY 98 NW 19) together with several churches and an
almshouse (see SY 98 NW 20-24 & 29).
There is little evidence of Wareham's late medieval character, but
during the 17th century Civil War the town was beseiged several times
and the walls strengthened. A great fire in 1762 destroyed much
of the town and it was largely rebuilt. (1)
(See 25" map diagram). (1)
In 1066 Wareham was a borough with 285 houses, by 1086 135 houses were standing. In 1244 the borough is represented by its own jury at the eyre. (2) |