Frankalmoign

Fr. A Eng. [L. Fr. fraunche aumone; L. Lat. /t6mi eleemosyna.] In English law.

Free alms

A spiritual tenure whereby a religious corporation, aggregate or sole, holds lands of the donor to them and their successors forever. Litt sect.

133. 2 Bl. Com. 101. 1 Steph. Com. 213.

This was anciently an ordinary kind of tenure in England, the peculiarity of which was its exemption from all secular or temporal service; the service to be performed being of a religious character, usually to pray wr the soul of the donor and his heirs, dead or alive, and even that not certainly defined; hence it was called frank or free. Britt. c.

66. 2 Bl. Com. 101, 102.

It is the tenure by which the parochial clergy, and very many ecclesiastical and eleemosynary foundations hold their land at this day; having been expressly reserved by the statute 12 Car. II. c.

24. Id. 101.

See Eleemosyna.

See Eleemosyna.