484 
iKTIQUITIES 
summoned ; and tliat 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-mentioned, 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 Litchfield, 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. Stratfeld, 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 
installed, 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 visiter 
had no doubt good and sufficient reasons, as probably may 
appear hereafter. 
