perhaps, be the work of a prehistoric population, and no relic of Ælla, or of the bound-marks of his kingdom.
As I have referred to these earthworks, I trust I shall not be considered digressive if I give some further account of them in this place.
On Saturday, December 3, 1870, I opened three of the five tumuli: the mounds are in a direct line running north and south. The four northernmost are contiguous; the southernmost stands about twenty yards from its neighbour, the only " bowl-shaped " barrow of the series. We commenced with the northernmost, cutting a trench completely through the centre from east to west. This barrow, like the rest, appears to have been formed of small layers of sand of varying hues, apparently brought from different localities, and deposited in small quantities on the mound. We found nothing whatever, save a small narrow flint flake, about two inches in length. The second and third of these tumuli we left undisturbed, as they bore obvious traces of previous examination. The bowl-barrow yielded nothing save a small piece of calcined flint, although we examined the mound most carefully. The last of them was equally devoid of interest. Elstead is not mentioned by name in " Domesday," but is included in the description of the " Land of the Bishop of Winchester." The whole of Famham Hundred was then held by Ralph, and William, and Wazo.
The earliest recorded mention of this place by name is in the foundation charter of Waverley Abbey, in which its founder, Bishop William Gifford, in 1128 gave to that house two acres of land in "Helestede."
The court rolls of the Manor of Famham, beginning 12th March, 159f, contain several presentations relating to Elstead, the most interesting of which is, perhaps, the following: —
" Court 3 Sep: 160j.
" The jury present —
« M' William Yynes of Shakelforde for keepinge of sheepe in oure comon and keeping of a stafferd in oure comon of Elstede and so contynueth dailie the Saboth dale only excepted, having no righte there so farr aa we know. And further, William Hampton one of oure jury doth affirme that John Billinghurst sen' of Puttenham did sale that
