The staff of the medieval church

 As described by Nicholas Orme in Going to Church in Medieval England chapter two. 

There were all sorts of clergy, secular and religious. Deans, abbots, priors and monks. Bishops, priests, deacons and sub-deacons. Prebends. Rectors. Vicars. Canons. Chaplains. Chantry / mass priests. Curates. Archdeacons. Rural deans. 

There were also assistants to the clergy, lay clerks / sacristans / sextons / suffragans / workmen etc. Psalmists (from the age of seven); acolytes (from the age of fourteen). It was thought pretty essential for every clergy to have an assistant. Who else would sprinkle the people with holy water (this distinctive became a term for the priest's helper) or say the responses? They would lock and unlock the church, prepare the altar, ring the bell etc. 

Candidates for the priesthood would be examined by the archdeacon or some other official. They must be twenty four years old, of legitimate birth, free status and without serious injury. They should be able to make out and pronounce the Latin services (and ideally understand them) and be able to sing. And they must have a "title" showing they have some job or role which will give means of support. 

Lack of clerical learning was often lamented but on the other hand shining learning and dark life was thought a disgraceful detraction. Simple literacy and a humble heart might be much more acceptable and profitable. Many of the saints were illiterate but the Holy Spirit had given them grace to answer many difficult questions and to be a help to the people. Common sense and experience of life were very valuable. 

"Reason dictates that rectors and vicars existed who were conscientious, helpful, and popular." However, evidence for this is hard to find. Records exist of a few especially holy clergy but it is mainly those who were complained about who have left a record.

Inductions were normally by the rural dean.

Celibacy developed gradually and was difficult to enforce. For hundreds of years every church coundil would complain about this or seek to regulate it. Sons would often act as apprentices and could expect to inherit the living. 

Clergy were sometimes enabled to attend school or university (drawing on tithes etc. as absentees by way of a scholarship) and were sometimes expected to provide some training or schooling. 

Clergy held their posts for life and this was often a problem when clergy became ill or infirm. Some bishops provided hospitals for the clergy. It became common to be able to retire with a pension of 1/3 of the benefice income, where a clergyman could be supported out of the other 2/3.

At St Neot, Cornwall, the Vicar became a leper in 1314 so the Vicarage was divided into two and a stand in was brought in to live in the other half of the vicarage and perform the duties of the vicar!

"Rectors" had absolute "rule" of their parishes, the cure of souls and all the rights of the benefice. The clergy counted as the first estate and were therefore addressed with titles of honour "Sir Marc" etc. as if they were knights or "Master" or "Doctor" if they were graduates.

Rectors were originally responsible for the upkeep of the church and clergy house and provision of robes and books, candles etc. This was gradually transferred to the parish, first the nave and then the chancel.

Parish choirs became increasingly important with the development of polyphony, often with the employment of lay director. Boy trebles and adult basses allowed two octaves of "pricksong" to be sung. Organs were sometimes introduced to provide music besides the singing, not to accompany it.

The role of proctors / keepers of the church store / church reeves / church masters / kirk-masters / high wardens or churchwardens began to develop, chosen by the people for a year or two. The two wardens might be assisted by four, eight or another number of men.

Gherit van der Goude thought a woman could assist the priest if no man were available, and rarely this took place but it was a matter of complaint. Women could sometimes be patrons or church wardens. They often assisted with washing linen etc.