patronagium

Forms

patrōnagium n (genitive patrōnagiī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin patrōnus + -agium, a Medieval Latin formation.^[2][1] English patronage comes from Old French and directly from it.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record, after Latham, to about 1308,^[1] for the right of a patron to a benefice.^[1][2]

Semantic evolution

In British sources it is the right of a patron or protector, and above all, in church law, the right of presenting a priest to a church, the advowson.^[2] A French formulary uses it instead for the command of a ship, the office of its master (patronus), beside the verb patronisare “to steer a ship”.^[4] English patronage had the church sense first, in the late 14th century.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1308 – First record, according to Köbler.^[1]
• 1324 – An inquisition post mortem records the patronagium of half a church.^[2]
• late 14th century – English patronage, the right of presenting to a benefice, is borrowed from Old French and Medieval Latin.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) The right of a patron or protector.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin, ecclesiastical) Advowson, the right of presenting to a church.^[2][1]
3. (Medieval Latin) The command of a ship.^[4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre