Robsons 1835 Description of Bere Regis

Bere Regis, a village and parish in the hundred of Bere Regis, 8 miles from Blandford, and a 112 from London , contained, in 1831, 1,170 inhabitants, and was assessed to 1,993, in 1815.

It is supposed to have been the site of the Roman Station called Ibernium, and Woodbury Hill, in the immediate neighbourhood, that of the Castra station, or summer encampment for this district. It still retains traces of a large encampment, and commands a most extensive view of the Isle of Perwickpool, and Studland Bay. A fair is held on this hill annually, which lasts five days, beginning on the 18th of September. It is chiefly for cloth, sheep, cheese, pedlary, and amusement.

It appears to have been at one time a place of some consequence. Queen Elfrida retired here for concealment, after the assassination of her son-in-law, Edward the Martyr. It was also the residence of King John, who granted it a market by charter, and was made a borough in the reign of Edward I.

It was nearly consumed by fire in the years of 1634 and 1788. The living is a vicarage, having the chapelry of Winterbourne Kingston attached in the patronage of Baliol College, Oxford, value 25l 5s K.B. and 400l in 1835.

The church accommodates 600 persons. There is a chapel here for Wesleyan Methodists and Independents, and a charity school, founded by Thomas Williams, Esq. for educating and clothing eight boys annually.

Cardinal Morton, who occupies a distinguished place in the annals of the reign of Henry VII., was born in this town.