THE HOLY LOAF.
In the Halesowen churchwardens' book (commencing temp. Edward IV), among other entries is one in the year 1499—"Item, for bred to the holy loffe for the township of Rommesley, 12d." In those days the elements for the sacrament were taken from the people's oblations of bread and wine, until at length wafers were substituted. It was the custom for every house in the parish to provide in turn the "holy loaf," and the good man or woman who provided it was specially remembered in the church's prayers that day. As the substitution of wafers generally took place in the twelfth century, is not the above one of the latest instances of the "holy loaf" on record?