OF SELBORNE. 601 



populo infra chorum dicte ecclesie congregatis publi- 

 cavit, et personam elect! publice et personaliter osten- 

 dit." We then returned to the chapter-house, except 

 our prior ; and Wyndesor was appointed 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 solemniter 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 instru- 

 ment, and a mandate from the bishop for the appear- 

 ance 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. 



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 prevailed in his convent ; it is no matter 



