230 
ANTIQUITIES OF SELBOENE, 
concesse — Forma decreti post electionem conficiendi — 108. 
Modus procedendi ad electionem per formam scrutinii :" — et Forma 
ricte presentandi electum." Such evidences are rare and curious, and 
throw great light upon the general monastico-ecdesiastical history of 
this kingdom, not yet suf5.ciently understood. 
In the year 1324 there was an election for a prior at Selborne ; when 
some difficulties occurring, and a devolution taking place, application 
was made to Stratford, who was bishop of Winchester at that time, and 
of course the visitor and patron of the convent at the spot above- 
mentioned.* 
An Extract from Reg. Stratford." Winton. 
P. 4. " Commissio facta sub-priori de Selebourne," by the bishop 
enjoining him to preserve the discipline of the order in the convent 
during the vacancy made by the late death of the prior, ("nuper 
pastoris solatio destituta,") dated 4th kal. Mali. ann. 2do sc. of his 
consecration. [Sc. 1324.] 
P. 6. " Custodia Prioratus de Seleburne vacantis," committed by the 
bishop to Nicholas de la , a layman, it belonging to the bishop, 
" ratione vacationis ejusdem," in July, 1324, ibid. " negotium electionis 
de Selebourne. Acta coram Johanne Episcopo, &c. 1324 in negotio 
electionis de fratre Waltero de Insula concanonico prioratus de 
Selebourne," lately elected by the sub-prior and convent, by way of 
scrutiny ; that it appeared to the bishop, by certificate from the dean 
of Alton, that solemn citation and proclamation had been made in the 
church of the convent where the election was held that any who 
opposed the said election or elected should appear. Some difficulties 
were started, which the bishop overruled, and confirmed the election, 
and admitted the new prior sub hac forma : — 
In Dei nomine Amen. Ego Johannes permissione divina, &c. te 
Walterum de Insula ecclesie de Selebourne nostre dioceseos nostrique 
patronatus vacantis, canonicum et cantorem, virum utique providum, 
et discretum, literarum scientia preditum, vita moribus et conversatione 
merito commendatum, in ordine sacerdotali et etate legitima consti- 
tutum, de legitimo matrimonio procreatum, in ordine et religione 
Sancti Augustini de Selebourne expresse professum, in spiritualibus 
et temporalibus circumspectum, jure nobis hac devoluto in hac parte, 
in dicte ecclesie de Selebourne perfectum priorem ; curam et adminis- 
trationem ejusdem tibi in spiritualibus et temporalibus committentes. 
Dat. apud Selebourne XIII. kalend. Augusti anno supradicto." 
There follows an order to the sub-prior and convent pro obedientia : 
A mandate to Nicholas abovenamed to release the priory to the new 
prior : ^ 
A mandate for the induction of the new prior. 
* Stratford was Bishop of Winchester from 1323 to 1333, when he was translated 
to Canterbury. 
