OF SELBOUNE. 
485 
LETTER XXL 
HATEVER 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 Selborne, 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 visiter for leave to choose a new prior, which being 
granted, after deliberating for a time, they proceeded to an 
election by a scrutiny. But as this mode of voting has not 
been described but by the mere form given in a note, an 
extract from the bishop's register, representing the manner 
more fully, may not be disagreeable to several readers. 
Reg. Waynflete, tom. ii. pars 1°"*, fol. 15. 
" Reverendo, &c. ac nostro patrono graciocissimo vestri 
humiles, et devote obedientie filii,'' &c. 
To the right reverend Father in God, and our most 
gracious patron, we, your obedient and devoted sons, Wil- 
liam Wyndesor, president of the chapter of the Priory of 
Selborne, and the convent of that place, do make known to 
your lordship, that our priorship being lately vacant by the 
death of Thomas Fairwise, 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 having 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 Richard ap Jenkyn, and Galfrid Bryan, 
chaplains, that our said Priory might 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 cele- 
brated mass, De sancto spiritu,'"* at the high altar, and having 
called a chapter by tolling a bell about ten o' the clock, we, 
W illiam Wyndesor, president, Peter Berne, Thomas London^ 
