In the beginning of the following year, the new bishop released the president and fellows of Magdalen College from all actions respecting the priory of Selborne; and the priory and convent of Saint Swithun, as the chapter of Winchester cathedral, confirmed the release.*
N. 293. “Relaxatio Petri epi Winton, Ricardo Mayew, Presidenti omnium actionum occasione indempnitatis sibi debite pro unione Prioratus de Selborne dicto collegio. Jan. 2. 1487, et translat. anno i°.”
N. 374. “Relaxatio 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.
Reg. A. ff. 46.
“Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit, Richardus Mayew, presidens, &c. et scolares, salutem in Domino.
"Noveritis nos prefatos presidentem et scolares, dedisse, concessisse, et hoc presenti scripto confirmasse Thome Ashforde, capellano, quendam annualem redditum sex librarum tresdecim solidorum et quatuor denariorum bone et legalis monete Anglie—ad terminum vite prefati Thome”—to be paid from the possessions of the college in Basingstoke.—"In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nostrum commune presentibus apponimus. Dat. Oxon. in coll. nostro supra dicto primo die mensis Junii anno regis Ricardi tertii secundo,” viz. 1484. The college, in their grant to Ashforde, style him only capellanus; but the annuitant very naturally, and with a becoming dignity, asserts his late title in his acquittances, and identifies himself by the addition of the nuper priorem, or late prior.
As, according to the persuasion of the times, the depriving the founder and benefactors of the priory of their masses and services
*The Bishops of Winchester were patrons of the Priory.
