XVI.] OF SELBORNE. 517 
seldom be subject to either of these inconveniences, and therefore 
we must attribute its frequent debts and embarrasments, well 
endowed as it was, to the bad conduct of its members, and a 
general inattention to the interests of the institution. 
LETTEK XVL 
Beaufort was Bishop of Winchester from 1405 to 1447 ; and 
yet, notwithstanding this long episcopate, only torn. i. of Beau- 
fort's Eegister is to be found. This loss is much to be regretted, 
as it must unavoidably make a gap in the History of Selborne 
Priory, and perhaps in the list of its priors. 
In 1410 there was an election for a prior, and again in 
1411. 
In vol. i. p. 24, of Beaufort's Eegister, is the instrument of 
the election of John Wynchestre to be prior — the substance as 
follows : 
Eichard Elstede, senior canon, signifies to the bishop that 
brother Thomas Weston, the late prior, died October 18th, 1410, 
and was buried November 11th. That the bishop's license to 
elect having been obtained, he and the whole convent met in the 
chapter-house, on the same day, about the hour of vespers, to 
consider of the election : — that brother John Wynchestre, then 
sub-prior, with the general consent, appointed the 12th of 
November, ad horam ejusdem did capitularem, for the busi- 
ness : — when they met in the chapter-house, post missam de 
Sancto Spiritu, solemnly celebrated in the church ; — to wit, 
Eichard Elstede ; Thomas Halyborne ; John Lemyngton, sac- 
rista; John Stepe, cantor ; Walter Ffarnham ; Eichard Putworth, 
celerarius ; Hugh London ; Henry Brampton, alias Brompton ; 
John Wynchestre, senior; John Wynchestre, junior; — then 
"Proposito primitus verbo Dei," and then ympno " Yeni Creator 
Spiritus " being solemnly sung, cum " versiculo et oratione," as 
usual, and his letter of license, with the appointment of the 
hour and place of election being read, alta voce, in valvis of the 
chapter-house ; — John Wynchestre, senior, the sub-prior, in his 
