OF SELBORNE 349 



was two feet three inches and an half ; and of the column, 

 where it had stood on the base, eighteen inches and three 

 quarters. 



Two years ago some labourers digging again among the 

 ruins found a sort of rude thick vase or urn of soft stone, 

 containing about two gallons in measure, on the verge of the 

 brook, in the very spot which tradition has always pointed 

 out as having been the site of the convent kitchen. This 

 clumsy utensil,^ whether intended for holy water, or what- 

 ever purpose, we were going to procure, but found that 

 the labourers had just broken it in pieces, and carried it 

 out on the highways. 



The Priory of Selborne had possessed in this village a 

 Grange, an usual appendage to manerial estates, where the 

 fruits of their lands were stowed and laid up for use, at a 

 time when men took the natural produce of their estates 

 in kind. The mansion of this spot is stiU called the 

 Grange, and is the manor-house of the convent possessions 

 in this place. The author has conversed with very ancient 

 people who remembered the old original Grange ; but it 

 has long given place to a modern farm-house. Magdalen 

 College holds a court-leet and court-baron^ in the great 

 wheat-barn of the said Grange, annually, where the President 

 usually superintends, attended by the bursar and steward 

 of the college.^ 



The following uncommon presentment at the court is 

 not unworthy of notice. There is on the south side of the 

 king's field (a large common-field so called), a considerable 

 tumulus, or hillock, now covered with thorns and bushes, 

 and known by the name of Kite's Hill, which is presented, 



^ A judicious antiquary, who saw this vase, observed, that it possibly 

 might have been a standard measure between the monastery and its 

 tenants. The priory we have mentioned claimed the assize of bread and 

 beer in Selborne manor : and probably the adjustment of dry measures foi 

 grain, etc. 



^ The time when this court is held is the mid-week between Easter 

 and Whitsuntide. 



' Owen Oglethorp, president, etc. an. Edzv. Sexti, primo [viz. 1547] 

 demised to Robert Arden Selborne Grange for twenty years. Rent 

 vi". — Index of Leases. 



