LETTER XXI 



WHATEVER might have been the abilities and disposition 

 of prior Fairwise, it could not have been in his power 

 to have brought about any material reformation in the 

 Priory of Selborne, because he departed this life in the 

 month of August, 1472, before he had presided one twelve- 

 month. 



As soon as their governor was buried the chapter 

 applied to their visitor for leave to chuse a new prior, 

 which being granted, after deliberating for a time, they 

 proceeded to an election by a scrutiny. But as this mode 

 of voting has not been described but by the mere form 

 in the Appendix, an extract from the bishop's register, 

 representing the manner more fully, may not be disagree- 

 able to several readers. 



WAYNEFLETE REG. torn. II. pars. i ma ., fol. 15. 



" Reverendo, &c., ac nostro patrono graciosissimo vestri 

 humiles, et devote obedientie filii," &c. 



To the right reverend Father in God, and our most 

 gracious patron, we, your obedient and devoted sons, 

 William Wyndesor, president of the chapter of the Priory 

 of Selborne, and the convent of that place, do make known 

 to your lordship, that our priorship being lately vacant by 

 the death of Thomas Fairwise, our late prior, who died 

 August nth, 1472, having committed his body to decent 

 sepulture, and having requested, according to custom, leave 

 to elect another, and having obtained it under your seal, 



we, William Wyndesor, president of the convent on the 



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