 At one time, an incumbent might choose to enjoy the income of the benefice and appoint an assistant curate to discharge all the spiritual duties of the office at a lesser salary.This was a breach of the canons of 1604, but the abuse was only brought under control with the passing in 1838 of the "Pluralities Act" (1&2 Victoria, ch.106), which required residence unless the diocesan bishop granted a licence for non-residence for reasons specified in the same act and provided severe penalties for non-compliance.The incumbent's official title might be that of rector, vicar, "curate-in-charge" or "perpetual curate".