XXII.] OF SELBORNE. 223 



canentes dictum electum ad majus altare ecclesie deduximus, ut 

 apud nos est moris." Then Wyndesor " electionem clero et populo 

 infra chorum dicte ecclesie congregatis publicavit, et personam 

 elect! publice et personaliter ostendit." We then returned to 

 the chapter-house, except our prior; and Wyndesor was ap- 

 pointed by the other two their proctor, to desire the assent of 

 the elected, and to notify what had been done to the bishop ; 

 and to desire him to confirm the election, and do whatever 

 else was necessary. Then their proctor, before the witnesses, 

 required Berne's assent in the chapter-house : " qui quidem 

 instanciis et precibus multiplicatis devictus," consented, "licet 

 indignus electus," in writing. They therefore requested the 

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

 niter celebrata," &c. &c. Sealed with their common seal, and 

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

 house, September 5th, 1472. 



In consequence, September llth, 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 confirmed; 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. 



LETTEE 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 prevailed 

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



