Legal Definitions - temporality

Definition: Temporality refers to civil or political power, which is distinct from ecclesiastical power. It can also refer to the secular properties or revenues of an ecclesiastic.

Example 1: The king's temporality was challenged by the church's authority.

Example 2: The bishop's temporality included vast lands and properties that generated significant revenue.

These examples illustrate how temporality refers to the secular power and possessions of a person or institution, such as a king or bishop. It is separate from religious or spiritual authority, which is the domain of ecclesiastical power. Temporality can include political power, such as the ability to make laws or enforce them, as well as material possessions, such as land and wealth.