the altar
in the Chapter House, the door thereof being open, and with them were the
three elder Brothers. There they stood to hear the votes of each man
separately, for they could be seen by all, but none could hear what was
said. Then the votes of each being heard and counted, our Sub-Prior,
Brother Henry, son of William of Deventer, was chosen and nominated to be
Prior, having the votes of the more part recorded for him on the paper,
namely sixteen. Some there were beside that did not choose him, but of
these three Brothers did not vote at this time, and two chose the
Procurator, James Cluyt. Then one of the elder Brothers, on behalf of
himself and of the more part, besought the Prior of the Superior House to
confirm the election, who straightway appointed the next day to be the
last for any to oppose. And when none made opposition to the manner of
the election, nor said aught against the Brother who was chosen, the
Prior elect was called to consent to his election which had been made
according to the canons, so that it might be duly confirmed. And he
straightway prostrated himself in the midst of the Brothers protesting
that he was not sufficient, and he humbly besought to be relieved of this
burden, but when he could not gain his purpose, and dared not obstinately
to resist, he gave consent in an humble voice, being overcome by the
insistence of the Brothers and compelled by his obedience to his
superior: and he submitted himself to the ordinance of God for the sake
of observing brotherly love and the needful discipline of the cloister.
So when he had been confirmed by the Prior of Windesem he was led in to
the choir in the presence of all the Brothers, and placed in his stall,
and prayers were offered up. After which done all the members of the
Chapter straightway went into the House, and following the accustomed
manner all the professed Brothers took the vow of obedience to their
Father, the new Prior, and after them the Converts, and lastly the
Donates did the like. When this was done they spent the day with joy and
giving of thanks, and at last their Fathers, the Priors of the other
houses who had taken part in all that was done, said farewell to them,
and the Brothers left the garden and returned to their cells. When the
bell rang for Vespers they came together to the choir, and sang the
Vespers of St. Mary Magdalene with cheerful voices. After three days the
Brothers were called together to the Chapter