304 WHITE 



nesses, required Berne's assent in the chapter-house; "qui 

 quidem instanciis et precibus multiplicatis devictus," consented, 

 " licet indignus electus," in writing. They therefore request 

 the bishop's confirmation of their election " sic canonice et so- 

 lemniter celebrata," etc., etc. Sealed with their common seal, 

 and subscribed and attested by the notary. Dat. in the chapter- 

 house September 5th, 1472. 



In consequence, September nth, 1472, in the bishop's 

 chapel at Esher, and before the bishop's commissary, appeared 

 W. Wyndesor, and exhibited the above instrument, and a 

 mandate from the bishop for the appearance of gainsayers of 

 the election there on that day ; and no one appearing, the 

 absentees were declared contumacious and the election con- 

 firmed ; and the vicar of Aulton was directed to induct and 

 install the prior in the usual manner. 



Thus did Canon Berne, though advanced in years, reassume 

 his abdicated priorship for the second time, to the no small 

 satisfaction, as it may seem, of the bishop of Winchester, who 

 professed, as will be shown not long hence, a high opinion of 

 his abilities and integrity. 



LETTER XXII 



As Prior Berne, when chosen in 1454, held his priorship 

 only to 1468, and then made a voluntary resignation, wearied 

 and disgusted, as we may conclude, by the disorder that pre- 

 vailed in his convent ; it is no matter of wonder that, when 

 re-chosen in 1472, he should not long maintain his station ; as 

 old age was then coming fast upon him, and the increasing 

 anarchy and misrule of that declining institution required un- 

 usual vigor and resolution to stem that torrent of profligacy 

 which was hurrying it on to its dissolution. We find, accord- 

 ingly, that in 1478 he resigned his dignity again into the hands 

 of the bishop. 



WAYNFLETE REG. fol. 55 

 Resignatio Prioris de Seleborne 



May I4th, 1478. Peter Berne resigned the priorship. May 

 i6th, the bishop admitted his resignation "in manerio suo de 



