0V SELBORNE. 485 



LETTER XXI. 



HATEVER 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 

 twelvemonth. 



As soon as their governor was buried, the chapter applied 

 to their visiter for leave to choose 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 given in a note, an 

 extract from the bishop's register, representing the manner 

 more fully, may not be disagreeable to several readers. 



REG. WAYNFLETE, torn. ii. pars l ma , fol. 15. 



< Reverendo, &c. ac nostro patrono graciocissimo 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, Wil- 

 liam 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 

 llth, 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 29th of August, 

 in our chapter-house assembled, and making a chapter, taking 

 to us in this business Richard ap Jenkyn, and Galfrid Bryan, 

 chaplains, that our said Priory might not by means of this 

 vacancy incur harm or loss, unanimously agreed on August the 

 last for the day of election ; on which day, having first cele- 

 brated mass, " De sancto spiritu," at the high altar, and having 

 called a chapter by tolling a bell about ten o' the clock, we, 

 William Wyndesor, president, Peter Berne, Thomas London, 



