The remains of medieval ring and baily earthworks are situated 430m south-west of Corfe Castle. It is considered likely to be a siege castle built by King Stephen in 1139 when he unsuccessfully besieged the castle at Corfe. A Civil War battery is also thought to have been positioned here during the 17th Century, suggested by it being recorded as 'Cromwell's Battery' on the 1844 Tithe Map. Earthwork remains of this fortification are visible on aerial photographs.
| --- | SDO15154 - Unpublished document: Tatler, S and Bellamy, P. 2006. New BT Duct, The Rings, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Archaeological Observations and Recording, September 2006. |
| <1> | SDO65 - Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1966. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1965. 87. 111. |
| <2> | SDO148 - Bibliographic reference: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset. Volume Two (South East) Part I. 96-98. |
| <3> | SDO13661 - Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 18-FEB-1970. RAF 58/0254 0022. |
| <4> | SDO13663 - Aerial Photograph: National Monuments Record. 26-APR-1989. SY 9582/24 (NMR 4544/10). |
| <5> | SDO13141 - Aerial Photograph: Dorset County Council. 2002. VAP. |
| <6> | SDO13662 - Aerial Photograph: National Monuments Record. 18-NOV-2005. SY 9581/8 (NMR 24139/29). |
| <7> | SDO14667 - Unpublished document: Wright, D, Fradley, M, and Creighton, O. 2015. The Rings, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Geophysical and Topographical Survey Report.. |