XXI.] OF SELBORNE. 221 



LETTER XXI. 



WHATEVER might have been the abilities and disposition of 

 1'rior Fairwise, it could not have been in his power to have 

 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 elec- 

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

 described, an extract from the bishop's register, representing 

 the manner more fully, may not be disagreeable to several 

 readers. 



WAYNFLETE REG. torn. ii. pars i ma , fol. li>. 



" Reverendo, &c., ac nostro patrono graciosissimo vestri humi- 

 les, et devote obedientie filii," &c. 



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

 patron, we, your obedient and devoted SODS, William Wyudesor, 

 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 llth, 1472, having committed 

 Ins 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 of Augiist, 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, having 

 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, 



