OF 8ELB0BNE. 
487 
damns y et vsic canentes dictum electura ad majus altare eccle- 
sie deduximusj ut apud nos est moris/^ Then " Wyndesor 
electionem clero et populo infra chorum dicte ecclesie con- 
gregatis publicavit, et personam electi publice et persona- 
liter ostendit/^ We then returned to the chapter- house, 
except our prior; and Wyndesor was appointed by the 
other two their proctor, to desire the assent of the elected, 
and to notify what had been done to the bishop ; and to 
desire him to confirm the election, and do whatever else 
was necessary. Then their proctor, before the witnesses, 
required Berne's assent in the chapter-house : qui quidem 
instanciis et precibus multiplicatis devictus,'' consented, 
licet indignus electus,'' in writing. They therefore re- 
quested the bishop's confirmation of their election sic 
canonice et solemniter celebrata,^' &c. &c. Sealed with 
their common seal, and subscribed and attested by the 
notary. Dat. in the chapter-house, September 6th, 1472. 
In consequence, September 11th, 1472, in the bishop's 
chapel at Esher, and before the bishop's commissary, ap- 
peared W. Wyndesor, and exhibited the above instrument, 
and a mandate from the bishop for the appearance of gain- 
sayers of the election there on that day: — and no one 
appearing, the absentees were declared contumacious ; and 
the election confirmed ; and the vicar of Aulton was directed 
to induct and install the prior in the usual manner. 
Thus did canon Berne, though advanced in years, re- 
assume his abdicated priorship for the second time, to the 
no small satisfaction, as it may seem, of the Bishop of Win- 
chester, who professed, as will be shown not long hence, a 
high opinion of his abilities and integrity. 
LETTER XXII. 
S prior Berne, when chosen in 1454, held his 
priorship only to 1468, and then made a 
voluntary resignation, wearied and disgusted, 
as we may conclude, by the disorder that 
prevailed in his convent; it is no matter of 
wonder that, when re-chosen in 1472, he should not long 
