346 
ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 
does not seem to be known in the south ; but there is a name so 
like it in an adjoining kingdom, and which belongs to two or 
three noble families, that it is probable this remarkable person 
was a North Briton ; and the more so, since the Christian name 
of Adam is a distinguished one to this day among the family of 
the Gordons. But, be this as it may. Sir Adam Gurdon has been 
noticed by all the writers of English history for his bold disposi- 
tion and disaffected spirit, in that he not only figured during the 
successful rebellion of Leicester, but kept up the war after the 
defeat and death of that baron, entrenching himself in the woods 
of Hampshire, towards the town of Farnham. After the battle 
of Evesham, in which Mountfort fell, in the year 1265, Gurdon 
might not think it safe to return to his house for fear of a sur- 
prise; 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 harrassed the kingdom, pursued the arch-rebel into his 
fastnesses ; attacked his camp ; leaped over the entrenchments ; 
and, singling out Gurdon, ran him down, wounded him, and 
took him prisoner.* 
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 intro- 
duced him to the queen, then lying at Guildford, that very even- 
ing.* This unmerited and unexpected lenity melted the heart of 
the rugged Gurdon at once ; he became in an instant a loyal and 
useful subject, trusted and employed in matters of moment by 
Edward when king, and confided in till the day of his death. 
LEITER IX. 
It has been hinted in a former letter that Sir Adam Gurdon had 
* M. Paris, p. 6/5, & Triveti Annale. 
