396 APPENDIX. 



enter into the general history of the Knights Templars*. As 

 regards their connexion with Selborne, all that was known 

 with any certainty is told by Gilbert White in his usual full 

 and interesting manner f. But still further illustrations of 

 this connexion have been brought to light in the course of 

 the recent explorations. 



It is to the east end of the south aisle of the church that 

 the principal interest attaches with reference to this subject. 

 I have, in the note already alluded to, mentioned that in this 

 part exist all the essentials of sacramental furniture. Gilbert 

 White states that the east end of this aisle was called the 

 South Chantry, and adds that, " till within these thirty years " 

 (therefore within his recollection), it was " divided off by an 

 old carved Gothic framework of timber, having been a private 

 chantry." I have also stated that its boundary was still 

 further defined by its being raised above the general level of 

 the church floor by a stone step about 4 or 5 inches high, not 

 only across the aisle from north to south, but also enclosing 

 the area of the chapel by a similar step from west to east. 

 We have then full evidence that the east portion of the south 

 aisle formed a distinct chapel or chantry, separated by being 

 on a higher level, and by a carved wooden screen, and 

 furnished with an altar, a piscina, and a niche. The question 

 then arises, to whose use was this separate place of worship 

 appropriated ? The question I believe to be solved by the 

 recent researches. 



Gilbert White states J that "two narrow stone coffin-lids 

 composed part of the floor " of the north transept. At 

 present, he says, "they have no coffins under them;" and 

 from this circumstance he very naturally concludes that this 

 was not the position which they originally occupied, but that 



* Of the atrocious persecutions, the tortures, and slaughter to which 

 the Knights Templars were undeservedly subjected on the demolition of 

 their order, mainly from the avarice and through the machinations of 

 Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V., I need only refer to the 

 full and interesting account in Mill's ' History of the Crusades/ vol. ii. 

 p. 366 &c. (4th edit.). 



t Vol. I. p. 316 &c. 



f Vol. I. p. 284. 



