LETTER XIII 



THE reader is here presented with five forms respecting the 

 chusing of a prior ; but as they are of some length they 

 must be reserved for the Appendix ; their titles are No. 108. 

 "Charta petens licentiam elegendi prelatum a Domino epis- 

 copo Wintoniensi : " "Forma licentie concesse : " " Forma 

 detreti post electionem conficiendi :" 108. " Modus pro- 

 cedendi 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 devolu- 

 tion 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. 1 



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, ("nuper pastoris solatio destituta,") 

 dated 4th kal. Maii. ann. 2do sc. of his consecration, 

 sc . 1324.] 



P. 6. "Custodia Prioratus de Seleburne vacantis/' com- 

 mitted by the bishop to Nicholas de la , a layman, it 



1 Stratford was bishop of Winchester from 1323 to 1333, when he was trans- 



ated to Canterbury. [G. W.] 



258 



