ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE 265 



that it is probable this remarkable person was a North Briton ; 

 and the more so, since the Christian name of Adam is a dis- 

 tinguished one to this day among the family of the Gordons. 

 But, be this as it may, Sir Adam Gurdon has been noticed by 

 all the writers of English history for his bold disposition and 

 disaffected spirit, in that he not only figured during the suc- 

 cessful rebellion of Leicester but kept up the war after the de- 

 feat and death of that baron, entrenching himself in the woods 

 of Hampshire, towards the town of Farnham. After the battle 

 of Evesham, in which Mountfort fell, in the year 1265, Gur- 

 don might not think it safe to return to his house for fear of 

 a surprise ; but cautiously fortified himself amidst the forests 

 and wood-lands with which he was so well acquainted. Prince 

 Edward, desirous of putting an end to the troubles which had 

 so long harassed the kingdom, pursued the arch-rebel into his 

 fastnesses, attacked his camp, leaped over the entrenchments, 

 and, singling out Gurdon, ran him down, wounded him, and 

 took him prisoner. 1 



There is not perhaps in all history a more remarkable in- 

 stance of command of temper, and magnanimity, than this 

 before us : that a young prince, in the moment of victory, 

 when he had the fell adversary of the crown and royal family 

 at his mercy, should be able to withhold his hand from that 

 vengeance which the^vanquished so well deserved. A cow- 

 ardly disposition would have been blinded by resentment; 

 but this gallant heir apparent saw at once a method of con- 

 verting a most desperate foe into a lasting friend. He raised 

 the fallen veteran from the ground, he pardoned him, he 

 admitted him into his confidence, and introduced him to the 

 queen, then lying at Guildford, that very evening. This un- 

 merited and unexpected lenity melted the heart of the rugged 

 Gurdon at once ; he became in an instant a loyal and useful 

 subject, trusted and employed in matters of moment by 

 Edward when king, and confided in till the day of his death. 



NOTE 

 1 M. Paris, p. 675, and Triveti Annale. 



