Legal Definitions - advowee

An advowee is an individual or entity that holds an advowson, which is the legal right to nominate or present a candidate for a vacant ecclesiastical benefice. In simpler terms, the advowee possesses the historical privilege of choosing who will serve in a specific church position, such as a parish priest or vicar, subject to the approval of the appropriate ecclesiastical authority (like a bishop).

This concept is deeply rooted in English ecclesiastical law and reflects a historical system where the right to appoint clergy was often tied to land ownership or the endowment of a church.

• Example 1: A Landowner's Right

  Imagine a wealthy landowner, Lady Eleanor, in 17th-century England. Her family originally built and endowed the local parish church centuries ago. As a result, her family has historically held the advowson for that church.

  Explanation: When the current vicar of the parish church passes away, Lady Eleanor, as the advowee, has the legal right to propose a new priest to the bishop for appointment to the vacant position. She exercises her family's long-standing privilege to select the spiritual leader for that community.

• Example 2: An Academic Institution's Privilege

  Consider a historic university college, such as "King's College," which was founded with significant endowments, including the advowson for several rural parishes.

  Explanation: If the rector of one of these parishes retires, King's College, acting as the advowee, would convene its governing body to select and present a suitable candidate to the diocesan bishop. The college's historical right allows it to influence the appointment of clergy in those specific churches.

• Example 3: The Crown as Ultimate Patron

  In certain historical circumstances, or if an advowson was not held by a private individual or institution, the right to appoint a priest for a particular church could revert to the monarch.

  Explanation: In such a case, the reigning sovereign, or the Crown acting through its representatives, would become the advowee paramount. This means the Crown holds the ultimate right to present a candidate for the vacant church position, demonstrating the highest level of patronage in the ecclesiastical system.