Parish Priests and Their People in the Middle Ages in England

by Edward Lewes Cutts

Add. 25698, f. 2, c. A.D. 1492. Add. 29704, f. 7 (elevation), and 16997, f. 144, 15th century. Plut. 279, f. 12, 15th century. Add. 16997, f. 145, French, 15th century. Add. 15813, f. 155, Italian, A.D. 1525. Egerton 931, f. 78b (1346-78).

With only one candle on altar, Nero E. II. f. 202, etc., 14th century.

Processions.—16 G. VI. f. 30, f. 350, and f. 351. Nero E. II. f. 36, f. 73, 14th century. 10 E. IV. f. 231b, 14th century. P. La Croix, La Vie Militaire, etc., plate 257.

Visitation of the Sick.—6 E. VI. f. 427b, 14th century. 6 E. VII. f. 70, 14th century. Add. 25698, f. 5, Flemish, c. A.D. 1492. Egerton 2019, f. 142, late 15th century. 20 C. VII. f. 78b, 14th century. Lansdown 451, f. 234, early 15th century. Printed Sarum Primer, A.D. 1531, in Kalendar, December, and at f. 102b.

Funeral Ceremonies.—Enshrouding the corpse.—Egerton, 2019, f. 142, 15th century. In church.—16 G. VI. f. 412, A.D. 1270. 2 B. VII. f. 222, f. 300, and f. 315, c. A.D. 1260. Sloane 346, f. 22b, 14th century. Add. 16997, f. 119b, and f. 171b, 15th century. 16 G. VI. f. 315, 14th century. Nero E. III. f. 131, 15th century. Nero E. II. f. 200b, 14th century. At the church door.—Add. 10294, f. 72 and f. 89, 14th century. Being carried into church.—Add. 12228, f. 8, early 14th century. Funeral procession.—20 C. VII. f. 40b and f. 200, 14th century. Egerton 1070, f. 54b, c. A.D. 1480. Add. 15813, f. 263, A.D. 1525. 6 E. VI. f. 481, 14th century. Add. 10294, f. 86 and f. 88, early 14th century. Commendatio defunctorum.—Egerton 2125, f. 117b, late 14th century. Egerton 1070, f. 54b, A.D. 1480. 14 E. IV. f. 208b. 20 C. VII. f. 10, 14th century. Printed Sarum Psalter, A.D. 1531, f. 98. See also Norwich Vol. of the Archæological Institute, p. 105. Burial.—Claudius B. IV. f. 11, f. 18, f. 44, f. 72, f. 74, and f. 85, 11th century. Egerton 2125, f. 18, early 16th century. Egerton 2019, f. 135, c. A.D. 1450. Aspersing coffin.—16 G. VI. f. 315, 14th century; and Harl. 2278, f. 22b, 15th century. Tomb of a king.—20 C. VII. f. 40b, 14th century. Nero E. II. f. 72b, 14th century. Tomb with lamp over it.—Egerton Plut. 745, f. 62b, 14th century. Sword and horn over tomb.—16 G. VI. f. 180b, 14th century.

---

INDEX.

Absenteeism, [146], [326], [330]
Acca’s Cross, base of, [27]
Addi the Ealdorman, consecration of his church at North Burton, [48]
Ælfric, homilies, [223]
Aged clergy, provision for, [290-296]
Aidan, apostle of Northumbria, [20];
his schools, [21];
preaching, [21], [22], [46]
Alb, [191]
Alcuin, [36]
Aldhelm, [31], [49]
Aldhelm’s religious poetry, [241]
Ale, church, and other ales, [317]
Alfred, laws of, [65], [76], [80], [82]
Alfriston parsonage house, [152], [153]
Amice, [192]
Amyss, [195]
Anglo-Saxon conquest, manner of, [3], [5]
Anglo-Saxon monasteries, in France, [21];
in Kent, [29];
Northumbria, [29];
East Anglia, [31];
Wessex, [31];
Mercia, [31-33];
list of others, [33];
life of the, [35];
destruction of, by Danes, [37];
restoration of, by Edgar and Dunstan, [37]
Anglo-Saxons, their civil organization, [5];
religion, [7];
temples, [9-11];
priesthood, [11];
sacred places, [12]
Archdeacons, [173], [533];
of Lincoln, [353], [354];
of Chichester, [362]
Armour worn by clergy, [172], [175], [177]
Assistant curates, [50], [105], [106]
Athelstan, law of, encouraging landowners to build churches on their estates, [51];
laws of, [66]
Augustine, apostle of Kent, [15]
Augustine, St., monastery of, [29], [35]
Banns of marriage, [235]
Baptism, within thirty days under penalty, [58], [68], [234]
Bede, his description of mission work, [23];
letter to Archbishop Egbert, [49]
Bede Roll, [211], [311], [472], [496]
Bedesmen, [449]

Bell to be rung for service, [70], [447];
in carrying viaticum to the sick, [239];
sacring bell, [246]
Benedict Biscop, [30], [36]
Benefices, parochial, subdivision of, [56]
Berdstaple Deanery, from “Taxatio,” [382];
comparison of its parishes in the “Taxatio,” “Valor,” and Clergy List, [562]
Berneston, [118]
Beverley Minster, [548]
Bidding Prayer, [207], [208]
Birinus, apostle of Wessex, [21]
Boniface (Winfrid), [22], [60]
Bradfield-on-Avon, church at, [31], [32]
Bridge chapels, [527]
Brigg Rural Deanery, comparison of its parishes in the “Taxatio,” “Valor,” and Clergy List, [564]
Bristol, [499];
a Saxon burgh, its Saxon churches, [499];
religious houses, [500];
growth of parishes, [500];
inclusion of Temple and Redcliff, [502]
Britons, survivors of the Anglo-Saxon conquest, [4]
Burton-on-Trent, monastery and town of, [508]
Bury St. Edmunds, [510]
Cædmon, his poems, [250]
Canons, [73], [335];
of Lincoln, [350-352];
of Chichester, [360]
Canterbury, King’s School at, [131];
archbishops of, of humble birth, [133]
Canute, [37];
laws of, [52], [76], [80], [86]
Career offered by the Church, [129], [134]
Cathedral close, [340]
Cathedral, organization of, [334];
of secular canons, [335];
monastic, [336];
idea of, [350];
description of, [357]
Cealchythe, council at, [41], [78], [82]
Cedd, apostle of the East Saxons, [30], [36], [39]
Celibacy of the clergy, [66], [73], [258-273], [282], [283]
Chadd, Bishop of Mercia, [30], [31], [36]
Chantries, [212];
of Burghersh, [341], [356], [447];
in Lincoln Cathedral, [354];
in Chichester Cathedral, [362];
definition of, [438];
number and distribution of, [442], [443];
foundation deed of, [444], [469];
of the Black Prince, [446];
Richard III., [447];
Henry VII., [447];
nomination to, [451];
dissolution of, [471]
Chantry chapels, [453-456];
furniture of, [445];
sometimes chapels-of-ease, [467]
Chantry priests, of cathedrals incorporated, London, [443];
York, [503];
of towns, sometimes a priest’s house provided for them, [518], [525];
remuneration of, [461-464];
duties of, [465], [466];
sometimes schoolmasters, [469-471]
Chapels, royal, [46], [123];
parochial, [50], [110];
free, [123], [124];
domestic chantry, [421], [422], [457]
Chaplains, parish, [105], [106], [111];
domestic, [409-423]
Chapter house, [342];
use of, [357]
Chasuble, [191], [244]
Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” extracts from, [172], [271], [304]
Choristers, of Lincoln Cathedral, [356];
song schools for, [469], [471]
Churches, Saxon, different status of, [52], [54];
number of, [54];
repair of, [66], [188];
to be reserved to sacred uses, [69];
burial in, [69];
dilapidations, [163];
their architecture, [184];
furniture, [187], [189], [190]
Churchyard, [69], [205], [281], [316];
right of sanctuary in, [308];
sports, markets, etc., in, [316], [317]
Clergy, number of, in 1377, [390]
Clerk, parish. See [Parish clerk]
Clitheroe, castle church of, [120]
Clovesho, councils at, [41], [60], [240]
Clugny, Abbey of, [368]
Clun, Shropshire, [112]
Colchester Castle, domestic chapel, [410]
Colleges, at universities, [140];
Rotherham, [517];
Wingham, [564], note;
Wye, [566], note
Communion, Holy, doctrine of, [75], [237];
in one kind, [235]
Confession, [234], [239], [536], [543]
Confirmation, [238];
sponsors at, [59], [69], [234]
Confraternity of a religious house, [439]
Conisborough, [103], [409]
Conversion of the English, [14], [21-23]
Conway Castle chapel, [410]
Cope, [193], [196]
Costume of clergy, ordinary, [165], [169-171]
Course of studies, [139]
Courts, ecclesiastical, [532], [544]
Coventry St. Michael’s Church, [555]
Cranmer, Edmund, [564], [565] note
Cranmer on the education of the lower classes, [131]
Creed, Apostles’, exposition of, [217];
metrical version of, [238]
Cross, station, [24]
Cuckfield Church, [455]
Customs on holy days, [311]
Cuthbert, [23]
Daily celebration of Holy Communion, [205], [206]
Daily Psalter in cathedrals, [351]
Daily service in churches and chapels, [205], [207]
Dalmatic, [192]
Danes destroy monasteries and churches, [37]
Dean and chapter, [336];
of Lincoln, [345];
of Chichester, [361]
Delamere, Abbot of St. Albans, [199]
Denington, Chantry Chapel at, [456]
Devotional books, [225];
poetry, [255-257]
Dilapidations, [162]
Dioceses, Saxon, [20];
subdivision of, [41], [42]
Discipline, [531];
of clergy, [533-535], [537];
of laity, [535-544];
defiance of, [542], [543]
Dispensations, for obstacles to ordination, [146], [275];
for non-residence, [146]
“Dives and Pauper,” [249]
Domesday Survey, mention of churches and clergy in, [54]
Domestic chapels, [409];
Norman, [409], [418];
Edwardian, [410];
later, [412-437];
chantries in, [421], [457];
oratories, [422];
number of, [423];
licences for, [424], [428];
marriages in, [431];
furniture of, [433];
services in, [435]
Domestic chaplains, in the sixth century, [408];
Saxon, [409], [417];
Norman, [409], [419-437];
members of religious houses acting as, [418];
emoluments of, [419], [420], [462]
Dress, ordinary, of the clergy, [164-172], [233]
Duns Scotus, [139]
Dunstable Priory, [102], [324]
Dunstan, [37], [66]
Durham Cathedral, [87]
Ecclesiastical courts, [86], [532]
“Edgar, Canons of,” [66]
Edmund, laws of, [66]
Egbert, Archbishop of York, [49];
constitutions of, [111]
Elfric, canons of, [74]
Endowments of parish churches, [45], [53]
England, Church of, [41]
Establishment of the Church among the English, [20]
Ethelbert, King of Kent, laws of, [57], [58]
Ethelred, laws of, [72], [82]
Eucharist, rules for celebration of, [70];
doctrine of, [75]
Evensong, [200], [203], [204]
Exchange of benefice by bishops or priests forbidden, [68]
Excommunication, general, [238], [544], [545]
Exeter, chapels and religious houses in, [497];
parochial organization, [497]
Eyam, cross at, [26]
Farming benefices, [321], [324], [326], [331], [403]
Fasting, [60], [71]
Felix, apostle of the East Angles, [21]
Fifteenth century, character of, [553];
architecture of, [553]
Firstfruits and tenths, [380]
Folk-mote, [6]
Foreign incumbents, [320]
Fourteenth century, character of, [549]
Free chapels, [124]
Friars, at the universities, [140];
origin of, [370];
organization, [371];
work, [373];
success, [374];
interference with parochial clergy, [376];
poverty, [378]
Furniture, of clergy houses, [174-182];
of churches, [187-191]
Gilds, definition of, [473];
trade, [475];
religious, [476-481];
social, [482];
at Ludlow, [473], [476];
Bristol, [476];
York, [476];
Norwich, [478];
Worcester, [478];
Birmingham, [478];
suppression of, [483]
Glebe, size of, [55]
Godparent, [59], [69], [234]
Goodrich, Bishop of Ely, his monumental brass, [198]
Granby, [103]
Gratian’s Decretals, [121]
Gray, Archbishop Walter de, his “Register,” [102], [116], [189]
Greenstead Church, Essex (Saxon timber church), [52]
Grostete, Bishop of Lincoln, [167], [281], [327], [336];
his “Castle of Love,” [242]
Hampole, Richard of, [225]
Harlow, [100]
Heathenism, laws against, [58], [59], [68], [72]
Heptarchic kingdoms, establishment of their churches, [20]
Hertford, council at, [41]

Hilda, St., [30]
Holy days, [80]
Holy loaf, [235], [403]
Hood, [239]
Hospitality of the clergy, [158-160]
Hours, canonical, [74]
Hugh of St. Victor, [138];
St., Bishop of Lincoln, [281], [322];
of Wells, Bishop of Lincoln, [280]
Humble birth, bishops of, [133]
Hundred, [5]
Illuminated MSS., references to, [567]
Impropriation of benefices, [95-97];
forbidden without consent of bishops, [98]
Ine, King of the West Saxons, laws of, [57], [58]
Iona, [15]
Ipswich, in Domesday, [506];
in the “Taxatio,” [506];
convents of Austin Canons and Friars, [507];
hospitals, [507]
Isolation of Anglo-Saxon townships, [6]
John Ball, priest, [171]
Jutland, introduction of Christianity into, [17]
Kellum, [117]
King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, [552]
Kingston-on-Thames, [115];
free chapel there, [125]
Kirkby Malamdale, [102]
Laindon church and house, [162]
Lanfranc, [88], [136]
Lateran, council of, in A.D. 1179, [98]
Latimer, Hugh, his education, [141]
Laws, Saxon codes of, [39], [57-83]
“Lay Folks’ Mass-book,” [243-249]
Learning, revival of, [136]
Lepers, [286], [294], [343]
Lewinna, South Saxon martyr, [17]
Lights for altar, [312];
statues, [313], [498];
purification, [314], [425];
funeral, [315];
meaning of, [312], [315].
See [Tapers]
Lincoln Cathedral, [338], [340];
organization of its chapter, [343]
Lindisfarne,

[20], [29], [35]
London Bridge, [529]
London, parishes of, [492];
subdivision of, [495];
number of, [495];
fees in, [496];
map of, in 1570, [493]
Longland, John, Bishop of Lincoln, [344]
Lord’s Prayer, metrical version of, [248]
Magdalen College, Oxford, [554]
Manchester, parochial history of, [515]
Manumission of slaves, [81], [82], [332], [333]
Market Harborough Church, [186]
Married clergy, [262]
Mass, [200], [236], [237], [243-248]
Matins, [200], [202], [204]
Mediety, benefices held in, [56]
“Minster,” [37]
Miracle plays, [315]
Mission work among the Anglo-Saxons, [21], [24]
Monasteries, Saxon, [28-37];
revival of, under Edgar and Canute, [37];
Norman, [90-93];
character, [366];
social influence, [367];
parochial influence, [369]

Money, comparative value of, in 1292, 1534, and 1890, [404]
Monks, [73], [97], [98], [108], [285]
Mortuary services, [457-462]
Morville, [114]
Myrk John, “Instructions for Parish Priests,” [232]
“Myrroure of our Ladye,” [249]
Newark, [523]
Newnham, Gloucestershire, [119]
Non-residence, [146], [326], [330]
Norman bishops, abbots, priests, costume of, [83], [91]
Norman conquest, results of, [84]
Normans, church building by the, [87], [88]
Northumberland, Earl of, staff of domestic chapel, [413]
Norway, anecdotes of its conversion, [17-19];
introduction of Christianity into, [18], [19]
Norwich, parishes of, [490]
Oils for baptism and unction, [72], [75]
Offering days, [71], [73]
Offerings as source of income, [400]
Offertory, [245];
of the domestic chapels, [414], [426]
Opinions during the Middle Ages, [546]
Orarium, or stole, [192]
Ordeal, [66]
Ordericus Vitalis, [90], [115]
Orders of the clergy, [74]
Ordination, [144-146];
refusal of, [327], [328]
Pallium, [191]
Papal supremacy, [85]
Parish clerk, [67], [283], [298-305]
Parishes, origin of, [44-46];
extent of, [50], [110];
subdivision of, [51], [53];
number of, in A.D. 1292 and A.D. 1534, [385], [394];
income of, [389], [396], [397-406]
Parish priest, his ecclesiastical status, [50];
social status, [51], [73];
instructions for, [232-240]
Parsonage houses, [148-158], at Weston Turville, West Dean, Alfriston, Kelvedon, Kingston-on-Thames, Bulmer, Ingrave, Ingatestone, Allington, Little Bromley, North Benfleet, Great Bentley, St. Peter’s Colchester, Radwinter, Laindon; and [161]
Passion play, [304], [315]
Patronage, abuse of, by the Crown, [321]
Paulinus of York, [17], [21]
Peckham, Archbishop, his manual of teaching, [216]
Penance, [201];
by proxy, [64];
forbidden, [64];
for sabbath-breaking, [201]
Penitential system, Saxon, [532]
Peter Lombard, [137]
Pickering, [117]
“Piers Plowman,” Vision and Creed, extracts from, [132], [133], [150], [171], [203], [207], [278]
Pilgrimage, [308];
places of, [309]
Pilgrims, [309]
Pledge breaking, punishment of, [65].
Pluralities, [323]
Pocklington, [117]
Poetry, devotional, [255-257]
“Poor Parson of a Town,” Chaucer’s, [550]
Preaching, [62], [71], [75], [214-223], [285-288];
helps in, [223], [224]
Prebend, [351];
of Lincoln Cathedral, [353]
Prebendaries of Lincoln, [351];
of Chichester, [361]

Presentation of offenders to the bishop, [62], [67]
Priests, character of, [68], [71], [73], [233];
duties of, [69], [72], [233-240]
Primer, [249]
Prince bishops of Durham, [363];
of Winchester, [364];
of Ely, [364]
Privilege of clergy, [86]
Procession, or Litany, [212], [311]
Processions to mother church, [121];
to cathedral, [121], [299]
Puch the Ealdorman, consecration of his church at South Burton, [46]
Recluse, [295], [527]
Rectors not in holy orders, [325], [327], [328]
Revenues of the bishops, deans, and chapters, etc., of Lincoln Cathedral, [344];
of Chichester Cathedral, [360]
Robert Pullein, [138]
Roger Bacon, [139]
Rotherham, parochial history of, [516];
College, [517]
Roundelay, [118]
Royal chapels, [46], [123]
Ruthwell, cross at, [25]
Saffron Walden Church, [185]
Saints, canonization by local synods, [63], [81]
Saints’ Days, [80];
appointed by synods, [63], [81]
St. Alban’s, monastery and town of, [513]
St. Edmund’s Bury, monastery and town of, [510]
Sanctuary, [75], [306];
right of, in churches, [75], [306];
in churchyards, [308];
in certain persons, [308]
Saxon clergy, [21], [23], [38], [57-83];
vestments of, [62], [83]
Saxon codes of law, [39], [57]
Saxon nobleman, house of, [47]
Scholastic theology, [137]
“Sentences” of Peter Lombard, [137]
Serfs admitted to Orders, [130]
Sermon helps, [223]
Sermons, [215]
Service books and vestments which each church was required to possess, [67], [189], [195]
Services in church, [200];
attendance at, on Sundays, [79], [201], [203];
on week-days, [205-207]
“Services,” [479]
Sham priests, [143], [144]
Shawbury, [112]
Shoreham Church, [89]
Shrine of Edward Confessor, [187]
Sick, visitation of, [161], [237], [239]
Sins, eight deadly, [214];
seven deadly, [221], [226], [230]
Slavery, [72], [81-83], [332]
Slave-trade, [82], [83]
Sompting Church, [55]
Sons of clergy, [262], [273-278]
Sponsors, at Confirmation, [55], [69], [234];
at Baptism, [234]
Stigand, Archbishop, [84], [86]
Stokesay, [119]
Stratford, John de, Archbishop, injunction on costume of clergy, [164], [188]
Students, [140-144]
“Summa Theologica” of Thomas Aquinas, [138]
Sunday, observance of, [69], [73], [79], [205];
penalty for desecration of, [201], note
Surnames of ecclesiastics taken from their birthplaces, [135]
Surplice, [193], [194]

Synodals, annual sum due from incumbent of a benefice to the bishop, [397];
paid on attending the synod to procure the holy oils.
Synods, [41], [67], [337]
Tapers carried at baptism (Harl. MS. 2278, f. 76);
at marriage, [496];
churching, [496];
penance, [315];
funerals, [496]
“Taxatio” of Pope Nicholas IV., [381]
Teaching by priests, [63], [214], [216-223];
by parents, [69]
Temples, Anglo-Saxon, [9-11];
Norse, [18], [19]
Ten Commandments, exposition of, [218];
metrical version of, [239]
Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, [40];
holds a synod at Hertford A.D. 673, at which the Heptarchic Churches unite into the Church of England, [41];
divides the Heptarchic dioceses, [41];
encourages the parochial system, [45]
Thirteenth century, character of, [548]
Thomas Aquinas, [138]
Thoresby, Archbishop of York, his manual of teaching, [222]
Thornbury, staff of domestic chapel, [413]
Tithe, [78];
small, [99], [101]
Titles for Orders, [145]
Tower of London, domestic chapel, [409]
Town parishes, origin of, [489]
Towns, description of, [487];
founded by monasteries, [507];
Burton-on-Trent, [508];
St. Edmund’s Bury, [510];
St. Albans, [513]
Township, Saxon, description of, [4], [5]
Twelfth century, religious character of, [547]
Types and antitypes, [231]
Unction, Extreme, [237], [239]
Universities, [136], [140]
“Valor” of Henry VIII., [392]
Vestments, clerical, [62], [98], [165], [191], [194], [195], [198], [199], [244], [299];
origin of, [191];
symbolism of, [196]
Vicar, [99-107]
Vicarages, foundation of, [98-108]
Vicars choral, [341];
of Lincoln, [355];
of Chichester, [362]
Virtues, the seven chief, [221], [229]
Visitation of the sick, [162], [237], [239], [282]
Visitation, the bishop’s, [279], [337];
articles, [281], and replies, [285-289];
by the archdeacon, [338]
Wakefield bridge and chapel, [528]
Wapentake, [5]
Warham, William, [564], [565], note
Warwick Chantry Chapel, Tewkesbury, [454]
Weapons carried by clergy, [167], [183]
West Dean parsonage house, [151]
Westminster, synod of, A.D. 1102, [98], [113]
Whalley, [107], [108], [120];
history of the parish of, [557]
Wiclif’s Bible, [242]
Wihtred, King of Kent, laws of, [57], [59], [77], [81]

Wilfrid of York, apostle of the South Saxons, [40], [41], [42]
Wills of clergymen, [171-183]
Winchester, synod of, A.D. 1070, [86]
Windsor, domestic chapels, [412]
Winfrid (Boniface), [22], [60]
Wingham, college of, [564], note
Woolrichston, [131]
Wye, college of, [566], note
Yatton, [106]
Yellow pest, seventh century, [39]
York, Minster, [503], [504];
St. Mary’s Abbey, [503];
hospitals in, [504];
parish churches, [505];
of clergy, [505];
income of parochial benefices in, [506];
Micklegate Bar, [487]
Zacharias, Bishop of Rome, [61]