THE ADVOWSON OF STAINTON

The 'advowson', or right of presentment of an ecclesiastical living, is regarded in English law as realty and subject to the law of property as administered by the civil courts rather than to the ecclesiastical law. Originally, it appears that the tithes due to a living were handed over to the recipient of the advowson, in return for which he or she would undertake to provide, and make financial provision for, a priest. The priest so appointed is called a vicar because he is carrying out the sacerdotal duties on behalf of the possessor of the advowson.

It is clear from Domesday that Stantone with Helgeby was identified in all respects with Dadesleia. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to find that the advowson of Stainton was vested in the Prior and monks of St. Oswald at Nostell, because Henry I had presented the living at Tickhill to that house. The honour of Tickhill had passed from Roger de Busli after his death in the time of William II to one Rupert de Belesme. After the sudden death of William, Robert de Belesme supported the unsuccessful claimant to the throne and in the process lost Tickhill and its castle to the crown.

As a result the tithes of the whole honour, which included Stainton with Helgeby, were bestowed upon Nostell and when the present church at Stainton was built and the separate parish created, the responsibility for providing a vicar for Stainton also fell upon the prior and convent.

Early in the 13th century, the Canons at York tired to lay claim to the advowsons but Archbishop Walter confirmed the rights for both Tickhill and Stainton to be in possession of Nostell and so the matter remained until the Reformation. The first recorded Vicar of Stainton was William de Walegryn who was instituted in1283. In 1546 on 2nd March, Richard Thompson was introduced as vicar on the presentation of Thomas Green Esq. It appears that one Gregory Darcy had the rights to alienate the rectory and advowson of Stainton, following the dissolution of Nostell, and he had done so in favour of William Green of Barnby on the Don. It seems to have passed through various hands, including those of the French family of Hellaby, until by 1641, upon inquisition, Nicholas Lord Castleton of Sandbeck was found 'seized of the rectory and advowson'.

It remained with the lords of Sandbeck until 28th June, 1926 when, under a scheme made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the patronage of the benefice of Stainton with Hellaby was transferred from The Right Hon. Aldred Fredrick George Beresford, Earl of Scarborough to Leonard Hedley (Burrows) Bishop of Sheffield.