Snippets from the Archives

When Poole was more Swashbuckling

Witness Statement Given in Poole about a Pirate in Studland Bay, March 1586

Examination of a man called Bonaventer of Torbay, aged about 40 years. He says that he was robbed by a pirate in Studland Bay. He was forced by 3 of the pirate’s men to launch the ship’s boat and go aboard the pirate ship. There he had to await the Captain who was ashore. When he returned he went aboard the witness’s vessel and took 300 dried Newfoundland fish and a lantern. He saw the pirates put the fish in to another boat which went back into the Haven.

So this account from the reign of Elizabeth I appears to tell the story of a ship sailing back to England from Newfoundland with salt cod. It was robbed by pirates in Studland Bay and the ill-gotten gains were sent to accomplices in Poole Harbour.

When Poole was more rural!

In 1663, during the reign of Charles II, the Mayor of Poole with the Burgesses issued an order forbidding the milking or feeding of cows in the churchyard or streets of the town. The penalty was set at 2 pence per cow.

One can only speculate that cowpats were becoming a problem.