Define: Commendator

A commendator is an individual who has the responsibility of supervising a benefice, which is a form of church property. They are referred to as “commendators” because they are entrusted with the care of the property. In the past, a “commendatus” was an individual who pledged loyalty to a lord and was placed under their safeguard.

A commendator is a trustee in ecclesiastical law who holds a benefice, or position, in the church. They are entrusted with supervising the benefice, hence the name “commendator.” During the Middle Ages, a bishop might appoint a commendator to oversee a monastery or other religious institution, responsible for managing the property and ensuring adherence to church rules. This exemplifies the commendator’s role as a person of authority within the church, overseeing a specific benefice and ensuring proper management. In mediaeval times, a commendator could also refer to a person who swore an oath of homage to a lord and pledged to serve them in some capacity, voluntarily placing themselves under the lord’s protection.

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This glossary post was last updated: 26th April 2024.