Legal Definitions - impeditor

An impeditor was a historical legal term referring to an individual who unlawfully interfered with another person's right to appoint a priest or cleric to a church position. This right, known as an advowson, allowed a patron (often a wealthy landowner or noble family) to nominate a suitable candidate to a church office, or benefice, which typically came with an income and duties within a specific parish. An impeditor would attempt to prevent the rightful patron from exercising this appointment power, often by making a competing claim or physically obstructing the process.

• Example 1: Direct Obstruction of Appointment
  Lord Ashworth holds the advowson for St. Michael's Parish. When the previous rector dies, Lord Ashworth intends to appoint his chosen candidate, Father Thomas. However, Sir Reginald, a neighboring knight, attempts to install his own preferred priest, Father Gregory, into the parish church, claiming he has a superior right to the advowson. Sir Reginald, in this scenario, would be considered an impeditor because he is directly interfering with Lord Ashworth's established right to appoint a cleric to the benefice.

• Example 2: Legal Challenge to a Patron's Right
  The Abbey of Blackwood has historically held the advowson for the village church of Oakhaven. When the position becomes vacant, the Abbey prepares to appoint Sister Agnes as the new vicar. However, the local Baron, claiming an ancient, forgotten charter, asserts that he holds the advowson and tries to block the Abbey's appointment through legal means, proposing his own candidate. The Baron's actions, by challenging the Abbey's right and attempting to prevent their appointment, make him an impeditor in this dispute over the advowson.

• Example 3: Fraudulent Claim to an Advowson
  Lady Eleanor possesses the advowson for the chapel on her estate. Upon the death of the chaplain, she begins the process of selecting a new one. A distant cousin, Master Geoffrey, knowing Lady Eleanor is elderly and somewhat infirm, fabricates a document purporting to show that the advowson was actually transferred to his family generations ago. He then attempts to appoint his own nephew to the chapel, thereby trying to usurp Lady Eleanor's rightful power of appointment. Master Geoffrey's fraudulent claim and attempt to appoint his own candidate make him an impeditor, as he is unlawfully obstructing Lady Eleanor's exercise of her advowson.