GUSSAGE (ST-MICHAEL), a parish in the hundred
of BADBURY, though locally in the hundred of
Knowlton, Shaston (East) division of the county of
DORSET, 6 miles (W. by S.) from Cranborne, containing
246 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the
king's books at £20. 0. 2., and in the patronage of
J. and R. Randell, Esqrs. The church is a handsome
edifice, with a lofty embattled tower. On the line of the
London road, near Cashmore Inn, is the easternmost of
seven earth-works, supposed to have been thrown up
by the Belgae across the road between this and Tarrent-
Hinton, which afford reason for the opinion that the
neighbourhood was the scene of some remarkable action
in the time of the ancient Britons.