The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #29

The first entry in December in the Middleton household accounts of 1525 was undated except for the month. It was described as Sir Henry Willoughby’s payment towards the making of a chalice for St Nicholas’ Church at Wollaton, Nottinghamshire. The amount was 20 pence, which was the equivalent of about £36.77 today.

The most common definition of a chalice identifies it as a Christian religious ceremonial cup from which wine is drunk during services. However, technically a chalice can simply refer to any ornate, stemmed drinking cup or goblet.

From the time that the Willoughby family acquired the manor of Wollaton in the 14^th century, they had a strong patronage of Wollaton Church. However, even though they owned the manor, it did not become a primary residence for them until the 15^th century. Before this, the principal church for the family was that of St Mary and All Saints’ Church at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds in Nottinghamshire.

Tomb of Sir Henry Willoughby and his four wives in Wollaton Church, 2013. Photograph taken by Richard Jordan.

 The last member of the Willoughby family to be buried at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds was Sir Hugh Willoughby, the husband of Margaret de Freville, who died in 1448. After the death of Margaret, Middleton passed into the possession of the Willoughby family and the burial locations and funerary monuments for the subsequent Willoughby family members were primarily divided for many years between the two churches of St Nicholas’ at Wollaton and St John’s at Middleton, and not necessarily with both aspects (burial and monument) in the same location.

Monument to Henry Willoughby (d.1549) and his wife Anne Grey in Wollaton Church, Photograph taken by Amy Evans.

Wollaton Church contains a number of the Willoughby family funerary monuments

including: Sir Richard Willoughby (d.1471) and his wife Anne; Sir Henry Willoughby (d.1528) and his four wives; Henry Willoughby (d.1549) and his wife Anne; Henry Willoughby (d. 1641), son of Sir Percival and Lady Bridget, and his wife Bridget; Sir Percival (d.1643) and Lady Bridget Willoughby (d.1629); William Willoughby of Selston (d.1670); Francis Willoughby, 3^rd Lord Middleton (d. 1774); Thomas Willoughby, 4^th Lord Middleton (d.1781); Henry Willoughby, 5^th Lord Middleton (d.1800), and his wife Dorothy; Henry Willoughby, 6^th Lord Middleton (d.1835), and his wife Jane; and Digby Willoughby, 7^th Lord Middleton (d.1856).

Memorial of Henry Willoughby, 6th Lord Middleton, and his wife Jane Lawley, 2013. Photograph taken by Richard Jordan.

Further Reading: Mary and Malcolm Stacey, St Leonard's Church, Wollaton, Nottingham, Illustrated guide and history, 2009.

W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p378.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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