302 WHITE 



brought about any material reformation in the Priory of Sel- 

 borne, because he departed this life in the month of August, 

 1472, before he had presided one twelvemonth. 



As soon as their governor was buried the chapter applied to 

 their visitor for leave to choose a new prior, which being 

 granted, after deliberating for a time they proceeded to an 

 election by a scrutiny. But as this mode of voting has not been 

 described but by the mere form in the Appendix, an extract 

 from the bishop's register, representing the manner more fully, 

 may not be disagreeable to several readers. 



WAYNEFLETE REG. torn. II., pars i ma ., fol. 15 



"Reverendo, etc., ac nostro patrono graciosissimo vestri 

 humiles, et devote obedientie filii," etc. 



To the right reverend Father in God, and our most gracious 

 patron, we, your obedient and devoted sons, William Wyndesor, 

 president of the chapter of the Priory of Selborne, and the con- 

 vent of that place, do make known to your lordship, that our 

 priorship being lately vacant by the death of Thomas Fairwise, 

 our late prior, who died August nth, 1472, having committed 

 his body to decent sepulture, and having requested, according 

 to custom, leave to elect another, and having obtained it under 

 your seal, we, William Wyndesor, president of the convent on 

 the 29th August, in our chapter-house assembled, and making 

 a chapter, taking to us in this business Richard ap Jenkyn, and 

 Galfrid Bryan, chaplains, that our said priory might not by 

 means of this vacancy incur harm or loss, unanimously agreed 

 on August the last for the day of election ; on which day, hav- 

 ing first celebrated mass, " De sancto spiritu," at the high altar, 

 and having called a chapter by tolling a bell about ten o' the 

 clock, we, William Wyndesor, president, Peter Berne, Thomas 

 London, and William Stratfeld, canons, who alone had voices, 

 being the only canons, about ten o' the clock, first sung " Veni 

 Creator," the letters and license being read in the presence 

 of many persons there. Then William Wyndesor, in his own 

 name, and that of all the canons, made solemn proclamation, 

 enjoining all who had no right to vote to depart out of the 

 chapter-house. When all were withdrawn except Guyllery de 

 Lacuna, in decretis Baccalarius, and Robert Peverell, notary 



