260 WHITE 



withdrew quietly to the Holy Land, where he resided some 

 time. 



At this juncture a very small part of Palestine remained in 

 the hands of the Christians ; they had been by Saladin dis- 

 possessed of Jerusalem, and all the internal parts, near forty 

 years before ; and with difficulty maintained some maritime 

 towns and garrisons ; yet the busy and enterprising spirit of 

 De Rupibus could not be at rest ; he distinguished himself by 

 the splendor and magnificence of his expenses, and amused 

 his mind by strengthening fortresses and castles, and by re- 

 moving and endowing of churches. Before his expedition to 

 the East he had signalized himself as the founder of convents, 

 and as a benefactor to hospitals and monasteries. 



In the year 1231 he returned again to England; and the 

 very next year, in 1232, began to build and endow the Priory 

 of Selborne. As this great work followed so close upon his 

 return, it is not improbable that it was the result of a vow made 

 during his voyage, and especially as it was dedicated to the 

 Virgin Mary. Why the bishop made choice of Selborne for 

 the scene of his munificence can never be determined now ; 

 it can only be said that the parish was in his diocese, and lay 

 almost midway between Winchester and Farnham, or South 

 Waltham and Farnham ; from either of which places he could 

 without much trouble overlook his workmen, and observe what 

 progress they made ; and that the situation was retired, with 

 a stream running by it, and sequestered from the world, amidst 

 woods and meadows, and so far proper for the site of a relig- 

 ious house. 2 



The first person with whom the founder treated about the 

 purchase of land was Jacobus de Achangre, or Ochangre, a 

 gentleman of property who resided in that hamlet, and, as 

 appears, at the house now called Oakhanger House. With 

 him he agreed for a croft, or little close of land, known by the 

 name of La liega, or La lyge, which was to be the immediate 

 site of the Priory. 



De Achangre also accommodated the bishop at the same 

 instant with three more adjoining crofts, which for a time was 

 all the footing that this institution obtained in the parish. The 

 seller in the conveyance says, " Warantizabimus, def endemus, 



