ADVOWSON Meaning and
Definition
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Advowson is a term primarily used in the legal and ecclesiastical contexts, referring to the right to present or nominate a candidate for a vacant benefice or ecclesiastical office, typically a parish priest or parson, to a bishop or other ecclesiastical authority for appointment. In simpler terms, it is the privilege or power of choosing a person to hold a specific church position.
Historically, an advowson was often granted, purchased, or inherited, providing the holder with the authority to influence the appointment of clergy in a particular parish or church. The term stems from the Latin word "advocare," meaning to call or summon. It effectively gives the holder the ability to "call" or appoint a suitable individual to fulfill the role of a clergy member within their jurisdiction.
The advowson has significant legal implications, as it places the responsibility for appointing an individual to a religious office directly in the hands of a layperson or corporation. However, the ultimate decision usually rests with the ecclesiastical authority.
Advowsons are subject to various regulations and laws, and their ownership and transfer often require specific legal processes. In some cases, the holder of an advowson may exercise the right personally, while in other instances, they may hire an agent or proxy to carry out the appointment process on their behalf.
Overall, an advowson embodies an important link between the secular and ecclesiastical realms, giving those in secular power the ability to influence the appointment of religious leaders within their jurisdiction.
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Right of perpetual presentation to a benefice.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ADVOWSON
- zdvowson
- sdvowson
- wdvowson
- qdvowson
- asvowson
- axvowson
- acvowson
- afvowson
- arvowson
- aevowson
- adcowson
- adbowson
- adgowson
- adfowson
- adviwson
- advkwson
- advlwson
- advpwson
- adv0wson
Etymology of ADVOWSON
The word "advowson" has its origins in Old French, derived from the Latin term "advocatio" which means "protection" or "patronage". In medieval times, an advowson referred to the right or privilege of presenting a candidate for appointment as a parish priest to a bishop. It essentially represented the right to nominate or recommend someone for a benefice, and it carries the idea of having influence or power over a particular position within the Church. Over time, the word evolved and became more specific to the act of presentation and the legal rights associated with it.
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