Adam Gurdon was the son of Adam de Gurdon, one of the bailiffs of
Alton, Hampshire. He sided with
Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester in the
Second Barons' War; and on 28 July 1265 repulsed the Welsh who were plundering in
Somerset, at
Dunster. He was one of the disinherited in 1266, and with others of his party formed a band which ravaged
Berkshire,
Buckinghamshire, and
Hampshire. Prince Edward marched against them in person, and meeting them in the vicinity of Alton Wood (or perhaps at
Halton, Buckinghamshire) defeated Gurdon in single combat. Sir Adam's prowess won the admiration of his conqueror, who restored him to his estates and made him one of his most trusted supporters. Sir Adam was a
justice of the forest in 1280, and in 1293 mention is made of forest offences which had been tried before him. He took part both in the Welsh and Scottish wars, and in 1295 was
custos of the sea shores of Hampshire, and a
commissioner of array in that county, and in Dorset and in Wiltshire. He died in 1305. ==Family==