almonage

English

Etymology

From Old French almosnage (“almsgiving”), from almosnier (“to give alms”), from almosne (“alms”).

Noun

almonage (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) Almsgiving, gift.
   • 1640, The Priviledges and Practice of Parliaments in England, page 36:

     In the ancieat Britanes and Saxons Kings dayes,the Archbiſhops and Biſhops were called to their Parliaments, or other aſſemblies of State ; which was done not ſo much in reſpect of their tenures, for in thoſe dayes all their tenures were Francki Almonage, but eſpecially becauſe the Lawes and Councels of Men were then moſt currant and commendable, and had a more bleſſed iſſue and ſucceſſe , when they were grounded vpon the feare of God,the root and beginning of wiſedome.

   • 1695, Sir William Temple, 1st Baronet, An Introduction to the History of England,  […] Richard Simpſon  […] and Ralph Simpſon  […], page 175:

     This gave particular Offence to the Biſhops, but another to the whole Clergy ; for whereas before they held all their Land by Franc Almonage, and ſubject to no Duties or Impoſitions, but ſuch as they laid upon themſelves in their Eccleſiaſtical Aſſemblies: […]

   • 1830, James Bennett, The History of Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury:  […] James Bennett for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green, page 343:

     Know ye, that I have granted and confirmed to St. Mary of Tewkesbury these following particulars in perpetual almonage, freely and quietly, […]