OF S EL BORNE, 
fpirit, In that he not only figured during the fuccefsful rebellion 
of Lekejler, but kept up the war after the defeat and death of 
that baron's entrenching himfelf in the woods of Hampjhire, to-s 
wards the town of Farnham. After the battle of Evejham, in which 
Mountfort fell, in the year 1265, Gurdon might not think it fafe to 
return to his houfe for fear of a furprife ; but cautioufly fortified 
himfelf amidfh the forefl:s and woodlands with which he was fo 
well acquainted. Prince Edward, defirous of putting an end to 
the troubles which had fo long haraffed the kingdom, purfued 
the arch-rebel into his faftneffes ; attacked his camp; leaped over 
the entrenchments; and, fingling out Gurdon, ran him down, 
wounded him, and took hrm prifoner^ 
There is not perhaps in all hiftory a more remarkable inftance 
of command of temper, and magnanimity, than this before us : 
that a young prince, in the moment of vidory, when he had the 
fell adverfary of the crown and royal family at his mercy, ihould 
be able to withhold his hand from that vengeance which the van- 
fjuifhed fb well deferved. A cowardly difpofition would have 
been blinded by refentmeht : but this gallant heir-apparent fav7 
at once a method of converting a moft defperate foe into a lafting 
friend. He raifed the fallen veteran from the ground, he par- 
doned him, he admitted him into his confidence, and introdiiced 
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 inftant a loyal and ufeful fub- 
je6t, trufted and employed in matters of moment by Edzvard vihtn 
king, and confided in till the day of his death. 
» M. Paris, p. 675. & Triveti Annak. 
LETTER 
