528 
THE ANTIQUITIES 
[LETT. 
William Stratfield, canons, also presented themselves at the 
same time, complaining that in this business they had been 
overlooked, and not summoned ; and that therefore the validity 
of the election might with reason be called in question, and 
quarrels and dissensions might probably arise between the newly 
chosen prior and the parties thus neglected. 
After some altercation and dispute they all came to an 
agreement with the new prior, that what had been done should 
be rejected and annulled; and that they would again, for this 
turn, transfer to the bishop their power to elect, order, and 
provide them another prior, whom they promised unanimously 
to admit. 
The bishop accepted of this offer before witnesses ; and on 
September, 27, in an inner chamber near the chapel above-men- 
tioned, after full deliberation, chose brother Thomas Fairwise, 
vicar of Somborne, a canon-regular of St. Augustine in the 
Priory of Bruscough, in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, 
to be prior of Selborne. The form is nearly as above in the last 
election. The canons are again enumerated; W. Wyndesor, 
sub-prior, P. Berne, T. London, W. Stratfield, J. Bromesgrove, 
who had formed the chapter, and had requested and obtained 
license to elect, but had unanimously conferred their power 
on the bishop In consequence of this proceeding, the bishop 
taking the business upon himself, that the Priory might not 
suffer detriment for want of a governor, appoints the aforesaid 
T. Fairwise to be prior. A citation was ordered as above for 
gainsayers to appear October 4th, before the bishop or his 
commissaries at South Waltham ; but none appearing, the 
commissaries admitted the said Thomas, ordered him to be in- 
stalled, and sent the usual letter to the convent to render 
him due obedience. 
Thus did the Bishop of Winchester a second time appoint 
a stranger to be prior of Selborne, instead of one chosen out 
of the chapter. For this seeming irregularity the visitor had 
no doubt good and sufficient reasons, as probably may appear 
hereafter. 
