Battlefields›Siege of Wareham Castle 1138
Medieval

Siege of Wareham Castle 1138

1138
Dorset, England
Also known as: Stephen takes Wareham 1138
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Robert of Gloucester garrison
Forces
Garrison: Robert of Gloucester loyalists
VS
Victor
King Stephen
Forces
Stephen: royal forces
Outcome
Stephen captured Wareham, denying Matilda a coastal landing point in Dorset
The Battle

History & Significance

Stephen moved quickly in 1138 to seize Wareham before Robert of Gloucester could consolidate south-western ports for Matilda. Control of Wareham harbour was vital for any Angevin amphibious strategy.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Wareham Castle 1138

Oval barrow at the western end of Stonehill Down, 800m south west of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.4 miles
Cross dyke on Knowle Hill, 470m SSE of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.4 miles
Cross dyke on Knowle Hill, 430m south of East Creech Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.4 miles
Hilltop enclosure and a pillow mound on Knowle Hill
Scheduled monument · ~3.4 miles
Group of six pillow mounds 470m north west of Barnston Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
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