OF S E L B O R N E. 
38.5 
LETTER XIX, 
Stepe died towards the end of the year 1453, ^■''^ ^"^^Y ^^p- 
pofe pretty far advanced in life, having been prior forty-four 
years. 
On the very day that the vacancy happened, viz. January 26, 
1453-4, the fub-prior and convent petitioned the vifitor — " vos 
unicum levamen noftrum, et fpem unanimiter rogamus, qua- 
" tinus eligendum ex nobis unum confratrera de gremio noftro, 
" in nollra religione probatum et expertem, licenciam veftram 
" paternalem cum plena libertate nobis concedere dignemini 
graciofe." ^?g- Waynjlete^ torn. I. 
Inftead of the licenfe requefted we find next a commiflion 
cuftodie prioratus de Selebourne durante vacatione," addreffed 
to brother Peter Berne^ canon-regular of the priory of Selebourne^ 
and of the order of St. Augvjl'ine, appointing him keeper of thefaicl 
priory, and empowering him to colled .and receive the profits 
and revenues, and " alia bona" of the faid priory ; and to exer- 
cife in every refpeft the full power and authority of a prior; but 
to be refponfible to the vifitor finally, and to maintain this fupe- 
riority during the bifhop's pleafure only. This inftrument is 
dated from the bifhop's manor-houfe in Southwark, March i, 
1453-4, and the feventh of his confecration. 
Ddd 
After 
