Corfe Castle is a late 11th century stone enclosure fortress, which stands on a hilltop in the Purbeck range. In the west bailey are the foundations of a possible pre-Conquest building, which possibly represents a 'hospitium' belonging to Shaftesbury Abbey or a royal residence associated with King Edward the Martyr, who was murdered at 'Corfegeat' in 978. A late 11th century curtain wall encases the inner ward and in the west bailey, are fragments of the Norman Old Hall. In the early 12th century King Henry I founded the ashlar built keep, which was designed to be impressive. The 'Gloriette' is an early 13th century courtyard mansion with 15th century addition, which was built to replace accommodation in the keep. King John added the defensive system of curtain walls, flanked by mural towers in the early 13th century. During the Civil War the castle was besieged and then slighted with gunpowder. To the south-west and visible from the castle is The Rings.