The building was the centre of law, order and government, and served as the county hall for Dorset until 1955.

[3] It had been in the Oak Room at the Antelope Hotel that, in the aftermath of the Monmouth Rebellion, Judge Jeffreys held the Bloody Assizes on 5 September 1685.

The sentence sparked public outrage, resulting in a petition of 800,000 signatures demanding their release and a 100,000-strong demonstration in London.

All were pardoned, on condition of good conduct, in March 1836, with the support of Lord John Russell, who had recently become home secretary.

[11][3] In June 2014, planning permission was granted to transform the Shire Hall into a new museum and visitor attraction.