Chop-Church — Law Dictionary

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A word mentioned in a statute of 9 Hen. VI., by the sense of which it was in those days a kind of trade, and by the judges declared to be lawful. But Brooke, in his Abridgment, says it was only permissible by law. It was, without doubt, a nickname given to those who used to change benefices, as to "chop and change" is a common expression. 9 Hen. VI. c. 65; Jacob.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A priest who exchanged his benefice for a bonus.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A word mentioned in 9 Hen. VI. c. 65, by the sense of which it was in those days a kind of trade, and by the judges declared to be lawful. But Brooke, in his abridgment, says it was only permissible by law. It was, without doubt, a nickname given to those who used to change benefices, as to "chop and change" is a common expression. Jacob.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

A word mentioned in 9 Hen. VI. c. 65, by the sense of which it was in those days a kind of trade, and by the judges declared to be lawful. But Brooke, in his abridgment, says it was only permissible by law. It was, without doubt, a nickname given to those who used to change benefices, as to “chop and change” is a common expression. Jacob.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

[L. Lat. ecclesiarum permutatio.'] In English ecclesiastical law, A changing or exchanging of churches or benefices. Mentioned in Yearbook, 9 Hen. VI. 65. Cowell. Blount. A nickname given to those that used to change benefices; sometimes called churchchoppers. Id. ibid. To ckop and change is still a common expression.