Another place we stopped at was Corfe Castle which dates back to the 11th century and was built by William the Conquerer. During the English Civil War it was owned by Sir John Bankes and his wife Lady Mary Bankes and was a royalist stronghold. It was besieged twice with Lady Mary Bankes leading the defense (Lord John Bankes was away at the time) before falling to Parliamentarian forces in 1646, after which it was “slighted” (destroyed).