Legal Definitions - frankalmoin

Frankalmoin was a historical legal concept in medieval England that described a specific way in which religious institutions held land.

Under frankalmoin, land was granted by a donor (often a lord or wealthy individual) to a religious body, such as a monastery, church, or convent. In return for this land, the religious institution had a general, ongoing duty to pray for the soul of the donor, their family, and their ancestors. The key characteristic of frankalmoin was that these prayers were general and indefinite; there was no requirement for a specific number of masses, particular rituals, or other precisely defined religious services. It was essentially a gift of land made "in free alms," with the expectation of spiritual support rather than a quantifiable service.

This differed from other forms of "spiritual tenure," such as tenure by divine service, which required the religious tenant to perform very specific duties, like saying a certain number of masses on particular days or distributing a fixed amount of alms.

Here are some examples to illustrate frankalmoin:

• Example 1: Founding a New Monastery

  Imagine a powerful 12th-century baron, Lord Alaric, who wishes to ensure his spiritual salvation and leave a lasting legacy. He grants a vast estate, including forests and farmland, to a newly established monastic order for the construction of an abbey. The charter explicitly states that the monks are to hold this land "in frankalmoin." This means their primary obligation is to offer daily prayers for the spiritual well-being of Lord Alaric, his family line, and his deceased relatives. There are no specific clauses dictating how many masses must be said or which particular saints invoked; it is a general, perpetual commitment to spiritual intercession.

  This illustrates frankalmoin because Lord Alaric donates land to a religious institution (the monastic order) in exchange for a general, undefined duty of prayer for his spiritual benefit, rather than a specific, measurable religious service.

• Example 2: Supporting a Local Parish Church

  Consider a prosperous medieval merchant, Lady Beatrice, who owns a small but productive farm on the outskirts of her town. Wishing to contribute to her local community and secure prayers for her family, she donates this farm to the parish church. The agreement specifies that the church holds the farm "by frankalmoin," and in return, the priests and congregation are expected to include Lady Beatrice, her husband, and their children in their general prayers and intercessions during daily services and Sunday mass. The donation does not stipulate a specific number of memorial masses to be said for her soul, only a continuous, general spiritual obligation.

  This demonstrates frankalmoin as Lady Beatrice gives land to a religious body (the parish church) with the understanding that they will provide general prayers for her and her family, without detailing precise religious services or quantities.

• Example 3: Endowing a Convent for Perpetual Prayer

  A noblewoman, Lady Eleanor, nearing the end of her life in the 14th century, seeks to ensure continuous prayers for her soul and the souls of her departed loved ones. She bequeaths a significant manor, complete with its tenants and revenues, to a convent of Benedictine nuns. Her will states that the convent is to hold the manor "in free alms," and in return, the nuns are to perpetually pray for her soul and the souls of her deceased husband and children. The will does not mandate specific prayer schedules, a fixed number of memorial services, or particular hymns, but rather a continuous spiritual remembrance as part of the convent's daily devotions.

  This is an example of frankalmoin because Lady Eleanor grants land to a religious institution (the convent) with the expectation of general, ongoing prayers for her spiritual benefit, without imposing specific, quantifiable religious duties.