The Middleton Accounts of 1525: #32

The next two entries in the Middleton household accounts of Sir Henry Willoughby for 1525 were both dated as the 28th December. The first was described as a reward to the child bishop of Lichfield. It was for 6 shillings 8 pence, which was the equivalent of about £147.09 today. The second entry was described as a reward to the bishop’s servants and the amount for this was 20 pence, which was the equivalent of about £36.77 today.

These entries refer to a popular English medieval custom, which is known to have been established before 1222. In this custom a young boy, normally a cathedral chorister, was elected to parody the role of the bishop for the Christmas period. The boy was elected to the role on St Nicholas’ Day (6th December) and he continued in the role until Holy Innocents’ Day (28th December). This role is also known as the boy bishop or chorister bishop, but in the Middleton records it is always called the child bishop.

The adult bishop would symbolically step down on St Nicholas’ Day, the day of the patron saint of children. The child bishop, dressed in full bishop’s robes, would then take the bishop’s seat. It is stated that this practice physically illustrated a phrase from the Magnificat (Song of Mary): “He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek.” (Luke 1:52, Book of Common Prayer 1662). The Magnificat is one of the eight oldest Christian hymns and was especially sung during Advent.

The child bishop, attended by other boys dressed as priests, would then carry out certain functions and traditions. First, they would make a circuit of the town and bless the people. They would then take over the cathedral and perform many of the sacred offices and ceremonies, except for Mass.

19th century depiction of a child bishop, attended by his canons, PD, via Wikimedia Commons.

The tradition was officially abolished by King Henry VIII in 1542, but returned under Queen Mary before being abolished again by Queen Elizabeth I in 1558. However, a few cathedrals and churches in England over recent decades have revived the tradition.

Next entry: 31st December

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p379.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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