what is a vicar in england

In England, a vicar is a title given to certain parish priests in the Church of England and other Anglican churches). The title is very old and arises from the medieval arrangement where priests were appointed either by a secular lord, by a bishop, or by a religious foundation). Historically, but no longer, vicars share a benefice with a rector (often non-resident) to whom the great tithes were paid). Vicar derives from the Latin vicarius meaning a substitute). In the Church of England, a vicar is the priest of a parish the revenues of which belong to another, while he himself receives a stipend. His official place of residence is a vicarage. The distinction between the titles of rector and vicar is now only historical).