Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
praemunire

praemunire

1 9.9
A historical English crime of accepting a foreign leader like the Pope over the king
  • noun
  • /ˌprɛmjuˈnɪr/
  • Archaic
: praemunire
  • The historian discussed the implications of praemunire in relation to the tension between the English monarchy and the Pope.

Examples

  • Few people today are familiar with the old charge of praemunire in English law.

  • The court issued a ruling on the case involving praemunire, emphasizing the consequences of disobeying the English Crown.

  • He was accused of praemunire for recognizing the Pope's authority over the king.

  • The statute of praemunire was used to limit foreign influence in English affairs.

  • The act of praemunire was a serious offense in medieval England.

  • Many nobles were charged with praemunire for their allegiance to the Pope.

  • During the medieval period, being accused of praemunire often led to severe penalties for those who supported foreign authority.

Surface Forms

praemunire singular
praemunires plural

Etymology

The word praemunire comes from Latin parts prae- 'before' and munire 'to defend', like the same root in munitions meaning 'weapons' or 'defences'. It became the name of an old English law that punished people who put a foreign authority, especially the Pope, 'before' the king, so the word means being punished for supporting a foreign power.