alien priory

English

Noun

alien priory (plural alien priories)

1. (historical, Christianity) A small religious establishment under the control of a larger monastery in another country.
   • 1897, Edward Hungerford Goddard, The Wiltshire archaeological and natural history magazine:

     The Plantagenet Kings […] boldly seized the revenues of these Alien Priories in time of war between England and France.

   • 1779, The Critical Review: Or, Annals of Literature:

     Velemont, a Benedictine abbey, founded in 1169. Annual income ten thouſand livres. At Stratfield-Say, in Berkſhire, was an alien priory belonging to this abbey.

References

• “priory”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.