ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 
255 
date the 8th of June, in the year of our Lord 1486, and in the second 
year of his pontificate, confirmed what had been done, and suppressed 
the convent. 
Thus fell the considerable and well-endowed priory of Selborne after it 
had subsisted about two hundred and fifty-four years ; about seventy -four 
years after the suppression of priories alien by Henry Y., and about fifty 
years before the general dissolution of monasteries by Henry YIIL The 
founder, it is probable, had fondly imagined that the sacredness of the 
institution, and the pious motives on which it was established, might 
have preserved it inviolate to the end of time — yet it fell — 
** To teach us that God attributes to place 
No sanctity, if none be thither brought 
By men, who there frequent, or therein dwell." 
Milton's Paradise Lost. 
LETTEE XXV. 
Wainfleet did not long enjoy the satisfaction arising from this 
new acquisition ; but departed this life in a few months after he 
had effected the union of the priory with his late founded college ; 
and was succeeded in the see of Winchester, by Peter Courtney, 
some time towards the end of the year 1486. 
In the beginning of the following year, the new bishop released 
the president and fellows of Magdalen College from all actions re- 
specting the priory of Selborne ; and the prior and convent of Saint 
Swithun, as the chapter of Winchester cathedral, confirmed the 
release.* _ 
N. 293. " Eelaxatio Petri epi Winton, Eicardo Mayew, Presidenti 
omnium actionum occasione indempnitatis sibi debite pro unione 
Prioratus de Selborne dicto collegio. Jan. 2. 1487., et translat. 
anno 1°." 
374. " Eelaxatio prioris et conventus Sti. Swithini Winton 
confirmans relaxationem Petri ep. Winton." 1487., Jan. 13. 
Ashforde, the deposed prior, who had appeared as an evidence for 
the impropriation of the priory at the age of seventy-two years, that he 
might not be destitute of a maintenance, was pensioned by the college 
to the day of his death ; and was living on till 1490, as appears by his 
acquittances. 
Eeg. a. if. 43. 
" Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit, 
Eichardus Mayew, presidens, &c. et scolares, salutem in Domino. 
" Noveritis nos prefatos presidentem et scolares, dedisse, concessisse, 
et hoc presenti scripto confirmasse Thome Ashforde, capellano, quondam 
at 160 flor. auri ; whereas Bishop Godwin sets it at 337Z. 15s. Qid. Now a floren, 
so named, says Camden, because made by Florentius, was a gold coin of King 
Edward III., in value Qs., whereof 160 is not one seventh part of 337L 15s, Q\d. 
^ The Bishops of Winchester were patrons of the Priory. 
