Medieval Religious Patronage
Patronage refers to the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In medieval times, lay patrons played an important role in supporting churches and religious houses.A number of motivations behind religious patronage have been suggested. Patronage and charitable works were the conventional means by which wealthy families expressed their piety. However, patrons were not just motivated by piety alone. There were political advantages and prestige to be gained by providing patronage. A family might also assert their status within the community by becoming benefactors of the friars. The patronage of a family was often a reflection of their spending power.
Religious patronage took many forms and was provided by individual patrons or a collaboration of patrons. Royal support often took the form of letters of royal protection and the granting of royal alms. Testamentary bequests also provided an important source of income. High status gifts included altar vessels, processional crosses, statues, vestments and liturgical books. These often bore inscriptions that reminded the friars to pray for the patron during Divine Office and Mass. Less costly, but essential to the celebration of the Eucharist, were donations of items such as bread, wine and wax for candles.
The relationship between the religious establishment and their patrons was reciprocal. Patrons could expect to be prayed for after their death or even be buried within the friary or church. The position of their graves reflected the social hierarchy and provided an indication of a patron’s status. Major benefactors were usually buried in either the choir, or, in later years, the nave of the church.
For information on some of St Nicholas' Church most important patrons, click on the links below:
Religious patronage took many forms and was provided by individual patrons or a collaboration of patrons. Royal support often took the form of letters of royal protection and the granting of royal alms. Testamentary bequests also provided an important source of income. High status gifts included altar vessels, processional crosses, statues, vestments and liturgical books. These often bore inscriptions that reminded the friars to pray for the patron during Divine Office and Mass. Less costly, but essential to the celebration of the Eucharist, were donations of items such as bread, wine and wax for candles.
The relationship between the religious establishment and their patrons was reciprocal. Patrons could expect to be prayed for after their death or even be buried within the friary or church. The position of their graves reflected the social hierarchy and provided an indication of a patron’s status. Major benefactors were usually buried in either the choir, or, in later years, the nave of the church.
For information on some of St Nicholas' Church most important patrons, click on the links below: