Patronage is a system that began with the establishment of the Church of England. A Patron having the right to appoint or present an Incumbent (vicar, priest rector, etc.) to a benefice (parish). While the patron doesn’t control the clergy’s daily duties after institution, they ensure a considered appointment process, acting as an independent advocate for the parish’s spiritual needs. This right is sometimes known as an ‘advowson’.
While patrons can include private individuals, the Crown, Bishops, colleges, religious bodies, charities, etc. they can also be wealthy Landowners as is the case of East Worlington. This section tells the storyof patronage in East Worlington which included the church, East Worlington Rectory and adjacdent land starting from the most recent named patron and moving back in history to give an insight into the parish land ownership prior to the establishment of the role of patron.
1743 – 1762
15 April 1690 – 22 November 1762
1st Earl (John Wallop)
1742 – 1797 29 June 1742 – 16 May 1797
2nd Earl (John Wallop)
1767 – 1853 (18 December 1767 – 14 July 1853)
3rd Earl (John Charles Wallop)
1772 – 1854
4th Earl (Newton Fellowes)
1825 – 1891
5th Earl (Isaac Newton Wallop
1856 – 1917
6th Earl (Newton Wallop)
1859 – 1925
7th Earl (John Fellowes Wallop)
1861 – 1943
8th Earl (Oliver Henry Wallop)
1898 – 1984
9th Earl (Gerard Vernon Wallop)
1958 – Present
10th Earl (Quentin Gerard Carew Wallop)