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The defences of Wareham is a complex defensive monument in Dorset comprising Anglo-Saxon earthworks and later medieval castle remains. The site preserves substantial portions of the Anglo-Saxon burh constructed in the ninth or tenth century, which consists of defensive ramparts and ditches designed to protect the planned town settlement. Overlying these early defences is a motte and bailey castle with a shell keep, likely established in the Norman period following 1066 and representing the strategic military control of this important river port. The monument thus documents successive phases of defensive architecture, from the organised kingdom-wide system of fortified centres established under the House of Wessex to the militarised feudal landscape of post-Conquest England.
Part of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortified centre of Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keep is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003574. View the official record →
The defences of Wareham is a complex defensive monument in Dorset comprising Anglo-Saxon earthworks and later medieval castle remains. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003574.
Part of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortified centre of Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keep is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003574.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The Harp Stone (7 km), Bowl barrow 200m south east of East Orchard (7.2 km), Iron Age settlement and associated field system on Smedmore Hill (7.8 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Part of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortified centre of Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keep