Selborne

"SELBORNE, a parish in the hundred of Selborne, county Hants, 4½ miles S.E. of Alton, its post town, and 52 S.W. of London. The village is situated on a stream which flows from Nore Hill to the river Wey, and is chiefly agricultural. Prior to the Norman conquest the manor belonged to Queen Editha, and was held in royal demesne. In 1232 an Austin priory was founded here by Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, but was subsequently suppressed, and the site given by William of Waynflete to Magdalen College, Oxford. It was formerly a market town, and a place of considerable importance. The parish contains the hamlets of Norton, Oakhanger, and Temple, at which latter place resided the freebooter Sir Adam Gordon in the reign of Henry III., and who was taken by Edward I. when prince, in 1266. There is a large military encampment, which has been formed out of a portion of Woolmer Forest in this parish. A portion of the land is in hop grounds, and the remainder arable and sheep walks. "

[From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]