At the Domesday survey “ Beastewelle” was held in demesne by the Earl of Moreton, who was Robert, a Norman nobleman and the half-brother of King William the Conqueror, and it was taxed for three hides.

[1] In the Calendar of the Patent Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office By Great Britain, Stoborough or Stowborough is granted by the Crown by King Richard III in 1484.

Grant to the king's servant William Claxton, esquire, and the heirs male of his body, for his good service against the rebels, of the manors or lordships of Godmanston, Wareham and Stoweborough, co. Dorset, late of John Trenchard, traitor, of the yearly value of 401.

11d., and Meriot, Bukland St. Mary and Long Sutton in the said county (sic), late of John Bevyn, traitor, of the yearly value of 261.

21., to hold with knights' fees, wards, marriages, reliefs, escheats, advowsons, lands, waters, woods, underwoods, stews, fisheries, stanks, mills, meadows, warrens, parks, courts, views of frank-pledge, fines, amercements, heriots, rents, services, reversions, liberties and commodities by knight-service and a rent of 100s.