http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/warriorsgateway@btinternet.com/album?.dir=/a15f
First few are at the ancient town of Wareham in Dorset - dates back to iron age, one of only two towns in Britain where the Saxon walls (built following a Viking raid) remain. A bit eroded now and the fosse is filling up but still an impressive obstacle. I don't think my Viking persona would be keen on charging down into the fosse the up the embankment, with hordes of angry Saxons at the top. The church (which was closed) is the one where the coffin of St Edward, king and martyr is housed (IF I got the right church).
Later in the weekend we went to Corfe (old english/Anglo-saxon for gap, apparently). Corfe Castle has a great history and was King John favourite by all accounts. Before the castle we visited the model castle and town (1/20th scale, in stone) showing the castle and village as it was in the 17th century, before nasty parliament ordered the castle destroyed (it was too darn tough - the walls are 6 feet plus thick in places and more!)
Check out the history of Corfe Castle online - really great place - St Edward was murdered here (whilst a king and not a saint!). Look at the situation - I wouldn't want to even think about assaulting it! King Steven had a go - in some pics you can see the earthwork remains of the mottte & bailey fort he built to try and control the town and castle whilst laying seige to it. He gave up (typical Steven!
Any problems with pics let me know.
Excuse assorted additional pics including a fair few of a wildlife park (small) where they do a lot of conservation work/breeding etc (note tortoises!).
Anyway - Corfe and Wareham - bear more research, very interesting.
