OF SELBORNE. 487 



ctamw*, 9 et sic canentes dictum electura ad majus altare eccle- 

 sie deduxiinus, ut apud nos eat moris." Then " Wyndesor 

 electionem clero et populo infra cliorum dicte ecclesie con- 

 gregatis publicavit, et personam elect! publico et persona- 

 liter ostendit." We then returned to the chapter-house, 

 except our prior; and Wyndesor was appointed by the 

 other two their proctor, to desire the assent of the elected, 

 and to notify what had been done to the bishop ; and to 

 desire him to confirm the election, and do whatever else 

 was necessary. Then their proctor, before the witnesses, 

 required Berne's assent in the chapter-house : " qui quidem 

 instanciis et precibus multiplicatis devictus," consented, 

 " licet indignus electus," in writing. They therefore re- 

 quested the bishop's confirmation of their election " sic 

 canonice et solemniter celebrata," &c. &c. Sealed with 

 their common seal, and subscribed and attested by the 

 notary. Dat. in the chapter-house, September 5th, 1472. 



In consequence, September llth, 1472, in the bishop's 

 chapel at Esher, and before the bishop's commissary, ap- 

 peared W. Wyndesor, and exhibited the above instrument, 

 and a mandate from the bishop for the appearance of gain- 

 sayers of the election there on that day: and no one 

 appearing, the absentees were declared contumacious ; and 

 the election confirmed ; and the vicar of Aulton was directed 

 to induct and install the prior in the usual manner. 



Thus did canon Berne, though advanced in years, re- 

 assume his abdicated priorship for the second time, to the 

 no small satisfaction, as it may seem, of the Bishop of Win- 

 chester, who professed, as will be shown not long hence, a 

 high opinion of his abilities and integrity. 



LETTER XXII. 



S 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 disorder that 

 prevailed in his convent; it is no matter of 

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



