WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND

borough (district), administrative and historic county of Dorset, England, on the English Channel. Bronze Age weapons and Roman interments have been found on the site. Weymouth's first specific charter (1252) made it a free borough and port for all merchants, and trading soon began with Bayonne and Aquitaine in France. Weymouth sent six ships against the attacking Spanish Armada (1588), and at least one enemy ship was brought into the harbour. During the 17th and early 18th centuries there was much trade with North America. By 1750 the port had declined to a fishing village, but its reputation as a seaside resort then grew, especially following a series of visits by the English king George III (reigned 17601820). During the 19th century the port revived with the expansion of trade with the Channel Islands, lying across the English Channel near the French coast. South of Weymouth is the peninsular Isle of Portland, culminating in a point at the Bill of Portland. Area 16 square miles (42 square km). Pop. (1998 est.) 63,000.