First Fruits

The first year's whole profits of the spiritual preferments. There were three valuations (valor beneficium) at different times, according to which these first fruits were estimated, made in 1253, 1288, and 1318. A final valuation was made by 26 Hen. VIII. c. 3. They now form a perpetual fund, called "Queen Anne's Bounty," the income of which is used for the augmentation of poor livings. 1 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 284, and notes; 2 Burn, Ecc. Law, 260.

The first year’s whole profits of the spiritual preferments. There different times, according to which these first fruits were estimated, made in 1253, 1288, and 1318. A final valuation was made by the 26 Hen. VIII. c. 3. They now form a perpetual fund, called Queen Anne’s bounty, the income of which is used for the augmentation of poor livings. 1 Sharsw. Bla. Com. 284, and notes; 2 Burn, Eccl. Law 260. FIRST IMPRESSION (LaL primes impressionis). First examinatiouC First presentation to a court for examination or decision. A cause which presents a new question for the first time, and for which, consequently, there is no precedent applical)le in all respects, is said to be a case of the first impression. Austin, Jur. sect. xxv. ad fin. See Judge-Made Law.

In English ecolesiastical law. The first year's whole profits of every benefice or spiritual living, anciently paid by the incumbent to the pope, but afterwards transferred to the fund called "Queen Anne's Bounty," for increasing the revenue from poor livings.

In feudal law. One year's profits of land which belonged to the king on the death of a tenant in capite; otherwise calied "primer seisin." One of the incidents to the old feudal tenures. 2 Bl. Comm. 66, -67.
Defined under First in Black's Law Dictionary.

The first year's profits of a ciently to the Pope.

[L. Lat. primitiae.] In English ecclesiastical law. The first year's whole profits of every benefice or spiritual living in England, anciently paid by the incumbent to the pope, and forming together with tenths, a revenue, which at the reformation was annexed to the crown by statute 26 Hen. VIII. c. 3. This revenue was by charter of Queen Anne, confirmed by statute 2 Anne c. 11, transferred to a perpetual fund (called from that circumstance Queen Anne's Bounty,) for the augmentation of poor livings. By statutes 5 & 6 Anne, benefices under £50 per annum, clear yearly value, were discharged from the payment of first fruits and tenths. 1 Bl. Com. 285, 286. 2 Steph. Com. 549, 550.

In feudal law. One year's profits of land which belonged to the king on the death of a tenant in capite; otherwise called primer seisin. One of the incidents to the old feudal tenures. 2 Bl. Com. 66, 67.