OF SELBOPv-NE. 
395 
i-n/; -(-uncn n . LETTER XXIL 
■;y,nv.do /^^ 
As prior Berne, when chofen in 1454, held his prlorfliip only to 
1468, and then made a voluntary refignation, wearied and dif- 
guftedj as we may conclude, by the diforder that prevailed in his 
convent; it is no matter of wonder that, when re-chofen in 1472, 
he fhould not long maintain his ftation ; as old age was then 
coming faft upon him, and the increafing anarchy and mifrule 
of that declining inftitution required unufual vigour and refolution 
to ftem that torrent of profligacy which was hurrying it on to it's 
diflblution. We find, accordingly, that in 1478 he refigned his 
dignity again into the hands of the bifliop. 
Waynflete Reg. foh 55. 
Refignatlo Prioris de Seleborne. 
May 14, 147??. Peter Berne refigned the priorfliip. May 16 
the bifliop admitted his refignation " in manerio fuo delValtham" 
and declared the priorfhip void; " et priorat. folacio deftitutum 
*' effe ;" and granted his letters for proceeding to a new eledion : 
when all the religious, aflembled in the chapter-houfe, did transfer 
their power under their fv-al to the bifhop, by the following public 
inftrument. 
Ee e 2 
