OF SELBORNE 325 



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, 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 were withdrawn except Guyllery de Lacuna, in decretis 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-public, and also 

 the two chaplains, the first was requested to stay, that he 

 might direct and inform us in the mode of election, the 

 other, that he might record and attest the transactions; 

 and the two last that they might be witnesses to them. 



Then having read the constitution of the general council 

 "Quia propter," and the forms of elections contained in it 

 being sufficiently explained to them by De Lacuna, as well 

 in Latin as the vulgar tongue, and having deliberated in 

 what mode to proceed in this election, they resolved in that 

 of scrutiny. Three of the canons, Wyndesor, Berne, and 

 London, were made scrutators : Berne, London, and 

 Stratfeld, choosing Wyndesor; Wyndesor, London, and 

 Stratfeld, choosing Berne ; Wyndesor, Berne, and Stratfeld, 

 choosing London. 



They were empowered to take each other's vote, and 

 then that of Stratfeld; "et ad inferiorem partem angul- 

 arem" of the chapter-house, "juxta ostium ejusdem 

 declinentes," with the other persons (except Stratfeld, who 

 staid behind), proceeded to voting, two swearing, and 

 taking the voice of the third, in succession, privately. 

 Wyndesor voted first: "Ego credo Petrum Berne 

 meliorem et utiliorem ad regimen istius ecclesie, et in 

 ipsum consentio, ac eum nomino," etc. Berne was next 

 sworn, and in like manner nominated Wyndesor ; London 



