The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was dated 26th May. It was described as Sir Henry’s reward toward the church ale at Aston. The Middleton Manuscripts suggest that this refers to Aston juxta Birmingham in Warwickshire. The amount was 20 pence, which was the equivalent of about £36.77 today. It is uncertain why Sir Henry went to this church ale. Furthermore, it is uncertain what this religious feast was honouring. Saints Peter and Paul are the...

In St John’s Church at Middleton is a 15th century memorial brass of Sir Richard Bingham and his wife Lady Margaret de Freville. This brass is unusual in two ways. Firstly, it is a double brass. These are not very common as the majority of medieval brasses are of single figures, especially amongst those that have survived. However, the second aspect makes the Bingham brass extremely uncommon and very intriguing. The representations of Richard and Margaret are in reversed positions. Margaret,...

St John’s Church in Middleton village contains a number of significant memorials and burials that relate to the owners and residents of Middleton Hall. The oldest of these memorials is the brass effigies on the floor of the chancel for Sir Richard Bingham, Justice of the King’s Bench, who died on 22nd May 1476, and his wife Margaret (de Freville/Willoughby), who died on 8th January 1492/3. Margaret had inherited the Middleton Estate from her brother. Brass of Sir Richard Bingham and Margaret,...