436 ANTIQUITIES 



fear of a surprise; but cautiously fortified himself amidst 

 the forests and woodlands 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 hjs fastnesses; attacked his 

 camp ; leaped over the intrenchments ; and, singling out 

 Gurdon, ran him down, wounded him, and took him 

 prisoner. 1 



There is not perhaps in all history a more remarkable 

 instance 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 cowardly disposition would have been blinded 

 by resentment : but this gallant heir-apparent saw at once 

 a method of converting 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 unmerited and unexpected lenity melted 

 the heart of the rugged Gurdon at once ; he became in an 

 instant a loyaLand useful subject, trusted and employed in 

 matters of moment by Edward when king, and confided in 

 till the day of his death. 



LETTER IX. 



T has been hinted in a former letter that Sir 

 Adam Gurdon had availed himself by mar- 

 rying women of property. By my evidences 

 it appears that he had three wives, and pro- 

 bably in the following order : Constantia, 

 Ameria, and Agnes. The first of these ladies, who was the 

 companion of his middle life, seems to have been a person 



1 M. Paris, p. 675, and Triveti Annales. G. W. 



