230 ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 



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, (" 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, "negotium 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 : 



" In Dei nomine Amen. Ego Johannes permissione divina, &c. te 

 Walterum de Insula ecclesie de Selebourne nostre dioceseos nostrique 

 patronatus vacantis, canonicum et cantorem, virum utique providum, 

 et discretum, literarum scientia preditum, vita moribus et conversatione 

 merito commendatum, in ordine sacerdotali et etate legitima consti- 

 tutum, de legitimo matrimonio procreatum, in ordine et religione 

 Sancti Augustini de Selebourne expresse professum, in spiritualibus 

 et temporalibus circumspectum, jure nobis hac devoluto in hac parte, 

 in dicte ecclesie de Selebourne perfectum priorem ; curam et adminis- 

 trationem ejusdem tibi in spiritualibus et temporalibus committentes. 

 Dat. apud Selebourne XIII. kalend. Augusti anno supradicto." 



There follows an order to the sub-prior and convent pro obedientia : 



A mandate to Nicholas abovenamed to release the priory to the new 

 prior : 



A mandate for the induction of the new prior. 



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

 to Canterbury. 



