Page:White - The natural history of Selborne, and the naturalist's calendar, 1879.djvu/353

Rh great benefactress to the University of Oxford, to the canons of Oseney, the nuns of Godstow, and other religious houses in Oxfordshire. She died very aged, in the year 1300,* and was buried before the high altar in the abbey church of Oseney, at the head of the tomb of Henry D'Oily, under a flat marble, on which was inlaid her portraiture, in the habit of a vowess, engraved on a copper-plate.”—" Edmondson’s History and Genealogical Account of the Grevilles,” p. 23.

T reader is here presented with the titles of five forms respecting the choosing of a prior. “Charta petens licentiam elegendi prelatum a Domino episcopo Wintoniensi: "—“Forma licentie 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 sufficiently 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. Maii. ann. 2do sc. of his consecration. [Sc. 1324.]