ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 321 



Though little emolument might hang to this appointment, yet are 

 there reasons why it might be highly acceptable ; and, in a few- 

 reigns after, it was given to princes of the blood.* In old days 

 gentry resided more at home on their estates, and having fewer 

 resources of elegant indoor amusement, spent most of their leisure 

 hours in the field and the pleasures of the chase. A large domain, 

 therefore, at little more than a mile distance, and well stocked 

 with game must have been a very eligible acquisition, affording 

 him influence as well as entertainment; and especially as the 

 manerial house of Temple, by its exalted situation, could com- 

 mand a view of near two-thirds of the forest. 



That Gurdon, who had lived some years the life of an outlaw 

 and at the head of an army of insurgents, was for a considerable 

 time in high rebellion against his sovereign, should have been 

 guilty of some outrages, and should have committed some depre- 

 dations, is by no means matter of wonder. Accordingly we find 

 a distringas against him, ordering him to restore to the Bishop of 

 Winchester some of the temporalities of that see, which he had 

 taken by violence and detained, viz., some lands in Hocheleye, 

 and a mill.t By a breve^ or writ, from the king, he is also enjoined 



West Wardleham ; and also the office of lieutenant or keeper of the forest 

 or chase of Aliceholt and Wolmer, with all offices, fees, commodities, and 

 privileges thereto belonging. 



" Names of lessees, William, earl of Dartmouth, and others (in trust). 



" Date of the last lease, March 23rd, 1780 ; granted for such term as would 

 fill up the subsisting term to 31 years. 



"Expiration March 23, 1811. 



" Southampton. 



" Hundreds Selborne and Finchdeane. 

 " Honours and manors, etc. 



' ' Aliceholt forest, three parks there. 



" Bens ted and Kingsley ; a petition of the parishioners concerning the three 

 parks in Aliceholt Forest." 



" William, first earl of Dartmouth, and paternal grandfather to the present 

 Lord Stawel, was a lessee of the forests of Aliceholt and Wolmer before 

 brigadier-general Emanuel Scroope Howe." 



* See Letter II. of these Antiquities. 



f Hocheleye, now spelt Hawkley, is in the hundred of Selborne, and has a 

 mil lat this day. 



