Legal Definitions - patronus

Definition: Patronus (pəˈtrəʊnəs) is a Latin term that has two meanings:

1. In Roman law, a patronus was someone who had freed a slave and was entitled to certain services from the slave.
2. In the context of the church, a patronus is an advowee, which means a person who has the right to present a candidate for a benefice or church office.

Examples:

• Example 1: In ancient Rome, a wealthy person could become a patronus by freeing a slave. The patronus would then have certain rights over the freed slave, such as the right to receive a portion of their income or to call upon them for assistance.
• Example 2: In the Catholic Church, a patronus is someone who has the right to present a candidate for a church office, such as a bishop or a priest. This right is often associated with a particular church or benefice.

The examples illustrate the two different meanings of the term patronus. In the first example, the patronus is someone who has freed a slave and has certain rights over them. In the second example, the patronus is someone who has the right to present a candidate for a church office. Both examples show how the term patronus is used in different contexts and with different meanings.