SSI MIDDLETOtf. 



vicar in the church, presentable by the said abbot 

 and convent ; the portion of endowment of which 

 vicarage, shall be in this manner, viz , in a compe- 

 tent mansion for the vicar's habitation, taken out 

 of the rectory, and built the first time by the said 

 religious : also the vicar shall receive yearly out 

 of the abbot and convent's coffers, the sum of 10. 

 6s. Sd. in money quarterly, paid upon the high-altar 

 of the church at Middleton ; and besides that 6s. 8d. 

 more, for the charge and exhibition of bread, wine, 

 and lights, necessary for the said high altar. And 

 the said abbot and convent shall for ever bear and 

 sustain the chancel, and all other burdens ordinary 

 or extraordinary on the church incumbent, and the 

 vicar shall bear nothing." 



Burton's Monasticon, p. 295. 

 These two latter sums are still paid to the vicar, 

 out of the lands attached to the rectory-house, an 

 old building at the east end of the church-yard ; 

 which has been occupied for a long period merely as 

 a farm house. 



In forming a drain at the back of the church, 

 during the year 1823, the workmen discovered 

 near the foundation, a medal, in excellent preser- 

 vation, representing on the obverse, the figure of 

 St. John the Baptist bearing a cross, and the lamb 

 before him, with a glory encircling its head ; the 

 motto " Parate viam Domini," prepare ye the way 

 of the Lord ; and within the circle formed by the 

 motto 1737 309 : on the reverse 3 figures, the 

 first leaning upon the cross, the second holding an 

 infant to her bosom, the third resting upon the 



