first called into being. After the Norman Conquest the church formed an item of the princely estate of Roger de Poictou, acquired through the partial munificence of William I.; and possibly in 1094, or thereabouts, was conferred by him upon the priory of St. Mary's, at Lancaster, in like manner to similar ecclesiastical possessions which he held in Kirkham and Poulton. However that may be, it is learnt from the Testa de Nevill that rather more than a century after the foundation of the monastic house in the year just named, the advowson of St. Michael's was vested in King John, who presented Master Macy to the living,[1] then valued at £66 13s. 4d. per annum. In 1326, William de Walderston, rector of the church of St. Michael's, and the prior of Lancaster, were engaged in a controversy before the authorities of Richmond, respecting the forest and other tithes of Myerscough, and those of a place called Migchalgh, the suit being decided at Lancaster on the 13th of October against the rector.[2] Nineteen years later, Henry, earl of Lancaster, was patron of the living, and in 1411 Henry IV., duke of Lancaster, who had claimed and obtained the crown resigned by Richard II., conveyed St. Michael's church to the Master and Brethren of the College or Chantry of the Blessed Mary Magdalen, at Battlefield, near Shrewsbury, nominally established by himself.[3] The letters-patent by which the transfer was effected, bore the Duchy seal, and stipulated that Roger Yve, of Leeton, Keeper and Master of the College concerned (really its founder), and his successors, should, in return for the grant, make the following provision for the maintenance of a vicar at the church of St. Michael's:—
"The Vicar and his Successors to receive, have, and possess, the offerings and
revenues which are and belong to the church of Michaelskirk, together with the
fruits and offerings arising from Hay and Revenues; the Tenth of Gardens dug
with the foot, of Lambs, Calves, Young Foals, Poultry, Young Pigs, Geese, Eggs,
Milk, Wool, Flax, Hemp, Mills, Apples, Garlick, Onions, Fishes, and Pigeons;
the first fruits of the Dead, otherwise called Mortuaries, whether they consist of
Animals, Clothes, or any other thing whatsoever, together with our Pool and
Mill, and also the Pool upon Wyre near the Rectory of Michaelskirk; and
further, the same Vicar and his Successors to have for their Dwelling the straw-thatched
Porch below the Rectory, and the Door and House adjoining, with the
Dovecote and Orchard near the Porch, and the Fishponds and Moats."
