Legal Definitions - almoin

Almoin refers to a historical form of spiritual service, primarily consisting of prayers and divine offices, provided by a religious institution (such as a monastery, church, or chapel) in exchange for the grant of land or other property. This arrangement was a specific type of feudal land tenure known as frankalmoin, where the religious body held the land not through military service or monetary rent, but through the obligation to offer spiritual services for the benefit of the grantor and their family.

• Example 1: Grant to a Monastery

  Imagine a powerful medieval lord, Sir Reginald, who grants a substantial estate of forested land and a village to a newly founded Cistercian monastery. In return for this valuable property, the monks are perpetually obligated to offer daily prayers for the salvation of Sir Reginald's soul, his ancestors, and his descendants, and to perform special masses on the anniversary of his death. The ongoing spiritual service of these prayers and masses constitutes the almoin provided by the monastery in exchange for the land.

• Example 2: Endowment of a Chantry Chapel

  Consider a wealthy merchant in the 15th century, Eleanor, who endows a chantry chapel within her local parish church with a perpetual income derived from a specific rental property she owns. The condition of this endowment is that a dedicated priest must reside in the chapel and perform daily prayers and special commemorative services for Eleanor and her family. The spiritual duties of the priest, including these specific prayers and services, represent the almoin given in return for the financial support provided by the endowed property.

• Example 3: Royal Grant to a Cathedral

  Picture a medieval queen, seeking divine favor for her reign and wishing to honor a particular saint, who bestows a valuable manor upon a prominent cathedral chapter. In accepting the manor, the cathedral chapter commits to holding an annual commemorative service for the queen and her royal house, as well as incorporating special prayers for the prosperity of the kingdom into their daily liturgy. These specific spiritual obligations and services are the almoin that the cathedral provides in exchange for the royal grant.