must attribute its frequent debts and embarrassments, well endowed as it was, to the bad conduct of its members, and a general inattention to the interests of the institution.
LETTER XVI.
BEaufort was bishop of Winchester from 1405 to 1447; and yet, notwithstanding this long episcopate, only torn. i. of “Beaufort’s Register” is to be found. This loss is much to be regretted, as it must unavoidably make a gap in the history of Selborne Priory, and perhaps in the list of its priors.
In 1410 there was an election for a prior, and again in 1411.
In vol. i., p. 24, of “Beaufort’s Register,” is the instrument of the election of John Wynchestre to be prior—the substance as follows:—
Richard Elstede, senior canon, signifies to the bishop that brother Thomas Weston, the late prior, died October 18th, 1410, and was buried November 11th. That the bishop’s license to elect having been obtained he and the whole convent met in the chapter-house, on the same day about the hour of vespers, to consider of the election; that brother John Wynchestre, then subprior, with the general consent, appointed the 12th November, ad horam ejusdem diei capitularem, for the business; when they met in the chapter-house, post missam de sancto Spiritu, solemnly celebrated in the church;—to wit, Richard Elstede, Thomas Halyborne, John Lemyngton, sacrista; John Stepe, cantor; Walter Ffarnham, Richard Putworth, celerarius; Hugh London, Henry Brampton, alias Brompton; John Wynchestre, senior, John Wynchestre, junior; then “Proposito primitis verbo Dei,” and then ympno “Veni Creator Spiritus” being solemnly sung, cum “versiculo et oratione,” as usual, and his letter of license, with the appointment of the hour and place of election being read, alta voce, in valvis of the chapter-house; John Wynchestre, senior, the sub-prior, in his own behalf and that of all the canons, and by
