Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

, a circular siege earthwork thrown up by Stephen in 1139 and still known as ' Stephen's Rings ' ( King's Works 142 ) , v. hring ; called Cromwells Battery 1844 probably in allusion to the siege of Corfe castle by Cromwellian forces in 1643–5 (Hutch3 1504–9) , v. ModE  battery ' platform or fortified work on or within whichartillery is mounted ' , cf. Battery Bank in E Stoke par . infra . The field in which the earthwork is to be found was called Castle Close 1291, 1381 Hutch3, 1585 Tres , either from the earthwork itself or from the present castle , v. castel(l) , clos(e) .