XXI.] OF SELBORNE. 5^9 
LETTER XXT. 
Whatever 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 Sel- 
borne, 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 visitor for leave to choose a new prior, which being 
granted, after deliberating for a time, they proceeded to an elec- 
tion by a scrutiny. But as this mode of voting has not been 
described, an extract from the bishop's register, representing 
the manner more fully, may not be disagreeable to several 
readers. 
Waynflete Peg. tom. ii. pars fob IT). 
" Peverendo, &c., ac nostro patrono graciosissimo vestri humi- 
les, et devote obedientie filii," &c. 
To the right reverend Father in God, and our most gracious 
patron, we, your obedient and devoted sous, William Wyndesor, 
president of the chapter of the Priory of Selborne, and the con- 
vent of that place, do make known to your lordship, that our 
priorship being lately vacant by the death of Thomas Eairwise, 
our late prior, who died August 11th, 1472, having committed 
his body to decent sepulture, and having requested, according 
to custom, leave to elect another, and halving 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 Pi chard a]3 Jenkyn, and 
Galfrid Bryan, chaplains, that our said Priory miglit 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 celebrated 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, 
