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 dis- 

 order that prevailed in his convent ; it is no matter of 

 wonder that, when re-chosen in 1472 he should not long 

 maintain his station ; as old age was then coming fast upon 

 him, and the increasing anarchy and misrule of that de- 

 clining institution required unusual vigour and resolution 

 to stem that torrent of profligacy which was hurrying it on 

 to it's dissolution. We find, accordingly, that in 1478 he 

 resigned his dignity again into the hands of the bishop. 



WAYNFLETE REG. fol. 55. 

 Resignatio Prioris de Seleborne. 



May 14, 1478. Peter Berne resigned the priorship. 

 May 16, the bishop admitted his resignation "in manerio 

 suo de Waltham" and declared the priorship void ; " et 

 priorat. solacio destitutum esse ; " and granted his letters 

 for proceeding to a new election : when all the religious 

 assembled in the chapter-house, did transfer their power 

 under their seal to the bishop, by the following public 

 instrument. 



" In Dei nomine Amen," &c. A.D. 1478, Maii 19. In 

 the chapter-house for the election of a prior for that day, 

 on the free resignation of Peter Berne, having celebrated 

 in the first place mass at the high altar " De spiritu sancto," 

 and having called a chapter by tolling a bell, ut moris est ; 

 in the presence of a notary and witnesses appeared person- 

 ally Peter Berne, Thomas Askford, Stephen Clydgrove, and 



