Grand Almoner of France
Encyclopedia
The Grand Almoner of France (French: Grand aumônier de France) was an officer of the French monarchy and a member of the Maison du Roi
("King's Household") during the Ancien Régime. He directed the Religious branch of the royal household (the Ecclesiastical Household or "Maison ecclésiastique du roi de France") also known as the royal chapel.
The title "Grand Almoner" was created by François I
. The office was not included in the official list of Great Officers of the Crown of France
established by Henri III in 1582, but some specialists of the French monarchy place the position among the Great Offices.
The Grand Almoner played above all a symbolic role as the most important member of the church in the royal court. Often having a church rank of bishop
, more rarely that of cardinal, the Grand Almoner had a number of important privileges, including oversight of charity organizations in Paris
and the right to the silver service of the royal chapel at the death of the king. The Grand Almoner also gave communion to the king, performed baptisms and princely marriages. The position was largely dominated by a few aristocratic families, such as by the house of Rohan.
The position was roughly equivalent to the position of Lord High Almoner in the United Kingdom, who oversees the U.K. Ecclesiastical Household
and Chapel Royal
.
Maison du Roi
The Maison du Roi was the name of the military, domestic and religious entourage around the royal family in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration; the exact composition and duties of its various divisions changed constantly over the Early Modern period...
("King's Household") during the Ancien Régime. He directed the Religious branch of the royal household (the Ecclesiastical Household or "Maison ecclésiastique du roi de France") also known as the royal chapel.
The title "Grand Almoner" was created by François I
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
. The office was not included in the official list of Great Officers of the Crown of France
Great Officers of the Crown of France
The Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
established by Henri III in 1582, but some specialists of the French monarchy place the position among the Great Offices.
The Grand Almoner played above all a symbolic role as the most important member of the church in the royal court. Often having a church rank of bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, more rarely that of cardinal, the Grand Almoner had a number of important privileges, including oversight of charity organizations in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and the right to the silver service of the royal chapel at the death of the king. The Grand Almoner also gave communion to the king, performed baptisms and princely marriages. The position was largely dominated by a few aristocratic families, such as by the house of Rohan.
The position was roughly equivalent to the position of Lord High Almoner in the United Kingdom, who oversees the U.K. Ecclesiastical Household
Ecclesiastical Household
The Ecclesiastical Household is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. Reflecting the different constitutions of the Churches of England and of Scotland, there are separate Ecclesiastical Households in each nation.-England:...
and Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
.