324 ANTIQUITIES 



In the year 1324 there was an election for a prior at Sel- 

 borne; when some difficulties occurring, and a devolution 

 taking place, application was made to Stratford, who was 

 bishop of Winchester at that time, and of course the visitor 

 and patron of the convent at the spot above-mentioned. 7 



An extract from REG. STKATFORD. Winton. 



P. 4. " Commissio facta sub-priori de Seleboume" by the 

 bishop enjoining him to preserve the discipline of the order in 

 the convent during the vacancy made by the late death of the 

 prior, ("super pastoris solatio destitute,") dated 4 th . kal. Mali, 

 ann. 2 do sc. of his consecration, [sc. 1324.] 



P. 6. " Custodia Prioratus de Selebwrne vacantis," com- 

 mitted by the bishop to Nicholas de la , a layman, it 



belonging to the bishop " ratione vacationis ejusdem," in July 

 1324, ibid. " negotium electionis de Selebourne. Acta coram 

 " Johanne Episcopo, &c. 1324 in negotio electionis de fratre 

 " Walter o de Insula concanonico prioratus de Selebourne" 

 lately elected by the sub-prior and convent, by way of scru- 

 tiny : that it appeared to the bishop, by certificate from the 

 dean of Alton, that solemn citation and proclamation had been 

 made in the church of the convent where the election was 

 held, that any who opposed the said election or elected should 

 appear. Some difficulties were started, which the bishop 

 over-ruled, and confirmed the election, and admitted the new 

 prior sub hac forma : 



" In Dei nomine Amen. Ego Johannes permissione divina, 

 " &c. te Walterum de Insula ecclesie de Selebourne nostre 

 " dioceseos nostrique patronatus vacantis, canonicum et can- 

 " torem, virum utique providum, et discretum, literarum 

 " scientia preditum, vita moribus et conversatione merito 

 " commendatum, in ordine sacerdotali et etate legitima con- 

 " stitutum, de legitimo matrimonio procreatum, in ordine et 

 " religione Sancti Augustini de Selebourne expresse professum, 



y Stratford was bishop of Winchester from 1323 to 1333, when he was 

 translated to Canterbury. 



