Sherborne Castle in Dorset was seized from its bishop during the Anarchy and became a contested military strongpoint. Stephen captured it early in the war but it was repeatedly fought over as Angevin forces from the west pressed into Dorset. The castle's strong natural position made it a key point in the contest for the south-west, and it changed hands as the fortunes of war ebbed and flowed. Stephen was later forced to surrender it to ransom his captured constable William Martel.
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