Norman Wareham

Upheaval returned to Wareham during the 1135-1153 so called ‘Anarchy civil war’ fought over the succession crisis between the King Steven and his cousin, the Empress Matilda over the English throne.  The war resulted in widespread breakdown of law and order throughout England. In 1139, the powerful Baron Baldwin de Redvers landed at Wareham to capture the port for the Empress Matilda but he was driven back to Corfe Castle by Stephen’s army.  During the war Wareham’s Castle was used as a prison. On several occasions the town came under siege as attempts were made to rescue the important captives held there.

By the late 12th century Wareham castle fell out of use as King John favoured the nearby Corfe Castle instead.

There is a legend that a hermit, known as Peter de Pomfret prophesied that King John’s reign would come to an end. Imprisoned at Corfe Castle the hermit was was tied to a horse and dragged from Corfe Castle to Wareham. The spot on the walls where he was then hanged became known as the bloody bank.