Though little emolument might hang to this appointment, yet are there reasons why it might be highly acceptable; and, in a few reigns after, it was given to princes of the blood.* In old days gentry resided more at home on their estates, and having fewer resources of elegant indoor amusement, spent most of their leisure hours in the field and the pleasures of the chase. A large domain, therefore, at little more than a mile distance, and well stocked with game must have been a very eligible acquisition, affording him influence as well as entertainment; and especially as the manerial house of Temple, by its exalted situation, could command a view of near two-thirds of the forest.
That Gurdon, who had lived some years the life of an outlaw and at the head of an army of insurgents, was for a considerable time in high rebellion against his sovereign, should have been guilty of some outrages, and should have committed some depredations, is by no means matter of wonder. Accordingly we find a distringas against him, ordering him to restore to the Bishop of Winchester some of the temporalities of that see, which he had taken by violence and detained, viz., some lands in Hocheleye, and a mill.† By a breve, or writ, from the king, he is also enjoined
West Wardleham; and also the office of lieutenant or keeper of the forest or chase of Aliceholt and Wolmer, with all offices, fees, commodities, and privileges thereto belonging.
- “Names of lessees, William, earl of Dartmouth, and others (in trust).
- “Date of the last lease, March 23rd, 1780; granted for such term as would fill up the subsisting term to 31 years.
- “Expiration March 23, 1811.
- “Southampton.
- “Hundreds—Selborne and Finchdeane.
- “Honours and manors, etc.
- “Aliceholt forest, three parks there.
- “Bensted and Kingsley; a petition of the parishioners concerning the three parks in Aliceholt Forest.”
- “William, first earl of Dartmouth, and paternal grandfather to the present Lord Stawel, was a lessee of the forests of Aliceholt and Wolmer before brigadier-general Emanuel Scroope Howe.”
* See Letter II. of these Antiquities.
† Hocheleye, now spelt Hawkley, is in the hundred of Selborne, and has a mil lat this day.
