X.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



189 



nient, yet are there reasons why it might be highly acceptable ; 

 and, in a few reigns after, it was given to princes of the blood. 1 

 In old days gentry resided more at home on their estates, 

 and having fewer resources of elegant in-door 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 dis- 

 tance, and well stocked with game, must have been a very eligible 

 acquisition, affording him influence as well as entertainment; and 

 especially as the manorial house of Temple, by its exalted situation, 

 could command 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 



&c. within the manor of Wardlam, or parish of Wardlam [Wardleham ;] nor 

 to abusing, &c. of any office or fee, within the said forests of Wolmer or 



Alysholt, or the said park of Wardlam." County Suth't. Rolls prefixed 



to first vol. of Journals of the Lords, p. xciii. b. 



To these may be added some other particulars, taken from a book lately 

 published, entitled " An Account of all the Manors, Messuages, Lands, &c., 

 in the Different Counties of England and Wales, held by Lease from the 

 Crown ; as contained in the Report of the Commissioners appointed to 

 inquire into the State and Condition of the Royal Forests," &c. London, 1787. 



" Southampton." 



P. 64. "A fee-farm rent of 34Z. Zs. lid. out of the manors of East and 

 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 23, 1780 ; granted for such term as would 

 fill up the subsisting term to thirty-one years. 



" Expiration, March 23, 1811." 



" Appendix, No. III." 

 " Southampton." 



" Hundreds Selborne and Finchdeane." 

 " Honours and manors," &c. 



" Aliceholt Forest, three parks there. 



" Bensted 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. 



1 See Letter II. of these Antiquities. 



