111.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
471 
under them, whence I conclude they have been ^emoved to this 
place from some part of a former church. One of these lids is 
so eaten by time, that no sculpture can be discovered on it ; 
or, perhaps, it may be the wrong side uppermost : but on the 
other, which seems to be of stone of a closer and harder 
texture, is to be discerned a discm, \ni\\ a cross on it, at 
the end of a staff or rod, the ^^'ell known symbol of a 
Knight Templar.i 
This order was distinguished by a red cross on tlie left 
shoulder of their cloak, and by this attribute in their hand. 
Now, if these stones belonged to Knights Templars, they must 
have lain here many centuries ; for this order came into England 
early in the reign of King Stephen in 1113 ; and was dissolved 
in the time of Edward IT. in lol2, having subsisted only one 
^ See Dugdale, " Monasticoii Aiiulicaniuii,'^ vol. ii., wliere tliere is a tine 
engravino: of a Knight Templnr, ])y Hollar. 
