LETTER X 



THE priory at times was much obliged to Gurdon and 

 his family. As Sir Adam began to advance in years he 

 found his mind influenced by the prevailing opinion of 

 the reasonableness and efficacy of prayers for the dead; 

 and therefore, in conjunction with his wife Constantia, in 

 the year 1271, granted to the prior and convent of Selborne 

 all his right and claim to a certain place, placea, called 

 La Pleystow, in the village aforesaid, "tn liberam, puram, 

 et perpetuam elemosinam" This Pleystow, 1 locus ludorum, 

 or play-place, is a level area near the church of about 

 forty-four yards by thirty-six, and is known now by the 

 name of the Plestor. 2 



It continues still, as it was in old times, to be the scene 

 of recreation for the youths and children of the neighbour- 

 hood ; and impresses an idea on the mind that this village, 

 even in Saxon times, could not be the most abject of 

 places, when the inhabitants thought proper to assign so 

 spacious a spot for the sports and amusements of it's 

 young people. 3 



As soon as the prior became possessed of this piece 

 of ground, he procured a charter for a market* from King 



1 In Saxon Plejcf rop, or Plejf cop ; viz., Plegestow, or Plegsto?v.[G. W.] 



2 At this juncture probably the vast oak, mentioned page 6, was planted by 

 the prior, as an ornament to his new acquired market-place. According to this 

 supposition the oak was aged 432 years when blown down. [G. W.] 



8 For more circumstances respecting the Plestor^ see Letter II. to Mr. 

 Pennant. [G. W.] 



4 Bishop Tanntr, in his " Notitia Monastica" has made a mistake respecting 

 the market and/az> at Selborne ; for in his references to Dodsworth, cart. 54 Hen. 

 III., m. 3, he says, " De mercatu^ et feria de Seleburn" But this reference is 



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