What does advowson mean?

[Mary C]

I'm somewhat perplexed and hope someone can help me!

In 1663 James Tazewell purchased Limington Manor House. He was allowed to do this because an Act of Parliament allowed him to do so. In 1668 he was a co-patron of the Rector of Limington Church. When he died in 1683 his eldest son and heir, also James, inherited it. The following information is taken from "Proceedings" by the Somerset Archaelogical and Natural History Society 1858 -

"The Manor was conveyed by James Tazewell to Vertue Radford and Edward Allen in 1689 ..."
but the paper also says "The advowson of Limington was, by an indenture made the 4th May 1695 between James Tazewell of Limington and Rev. William Tazewell" (who was his brother). In 1700 William was patron of the then Rector. On his marriage William then settled the advowson on his eldest son, who sold it to a John Walker".

If the manor was conveyed to Radford and Allen in 1689 how could James then give it to his brother William in 1695? I have checked what advowson means, but it really isn't very clear to me. Can anyone help please?

[Guy Etchells]

It is the right to nominate someone for a church office.
The holder of the advowson will nominate his/her candidate to the Bishop.
Cheers Guy

[daggers]

This applies to appointments of clergy not any old sidesman or churchwarden, who are elected.
Daggers

[Guy Etchells]

Quite right I should have been more precise in my wording.
It is the right to nominate a clerk or present a clerk for an ecclesiastical benefice. ;)
Cheers
Guy

[Mary C]

Hi
Many thanks to both of you. However, if James had already sold the manor (which I presume is what is meant by conveyed) in 1683 would he have had the authority in 1695 to make the advowson (or nominate) his brother William to the position of Rector? William was never Rector of Limington Church - at that time he was Rector of a church in Norfolk.

I guess another question is did James have the right to this advowson because he owned Limington Manor, or for some other reason? How did he come by this right?

Cheers
Mary

[Guy Etchells]

It depends Mary, advowson is the generic term, which used to be split into three specific types.

advowson donative (until 1898 then all such were made presentative), here the patron made the choice himself/herself without reference to the Bishop. Amongst other privileges he/she also had sole right of visitation and took the resignation of any incumbent.
advowson presentative, this came about by the Lord of the Manor (etc.) building a church and being given the right to present a clerk.

advowson collative, held by the Bishop.

Advowsons are heritable property (similar to copyright) and may be inherited or sold separate from the other property that makes up a persons estate.
Cheers
Guy

[Mary C]

Hi Guy

Many thanks for the information - it is starting to become clearer in my mind.

Regards
Mary