326 ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 



LETTER XIII. 



THE reader is here presented with the titles of five forms 

 respecting the choosing of a prior. " Charta petens licentiam 

 elegendi prelatum a Domino episcopo Wintoniensi : " " Forma 

 licentie concesse : " " Forma decreti post electionem conficiendi :" 

 108. " Modus procedendi ad electionem per formam scrutinii :" 

 et " Forma ricte presentandi electum." Such evidences are rare 

 and curious, and throw great light upon the general monastico- 

 ecclesiastical history of this kingdom, not yet sufficiently understood. 



In the year 1324 there was an election for a prior at Selborne ; 

 when some difficulties occurring, and a devolution taking place, 

 application was made to Stratford, who was bishop of Winchester 

 at that time, and of course the visitor and patron of the convent at 

 the spot above-mentioned.* 



An Extract from " Reg. Stratford." Winton. 



P. 4. " Commissio facta sub-priori de Selebourne," by the bishop 

 enjoining him to preserve the discipline of the order in the convent 

 during the vacancy made by the late death of the prior, ( u nuper 

 pastoris solatio destituta,") dated 4th kal. Maii. ann. 2do sc. of his 

 consecration. [Sc. 1324.] 



P. 6. " Custodia Prioratus de Seleburne vacantis," committed by 



the bishop to Nicholas de la , a layman, it belonging to the 



bishop, "ratione vacationis ejusdem," in July, 1324, ibid, "nego- 

 tium electionis de Selebourne. Acta coram Johanne Episcopo, c. 

 1324 in negotio electionis de fratre Waltero de Insula concanonico 

 prioratus de Selebourne," lately elected by the sub-prior and convent, 

 by way of scrutiny ; that it appeared to the bishop, by certificate from 

 the dean of Alton, that solemn citation and proclamation had been 

 made in the church of the convent where the election was held that 

 any who opposed the said election or elected should appear. Some 

 difficulties were started, which the bishop overruled, and confirmed 

 the election, and admitted the new prior sub hac forma : 



* Stratford was Bishop of Winchester from 1323 to 1333, when he was translated to 

 Canterbury, 



