advowson

/ædˈvaʊzən/
noun
  1. The legal right in English law to recommend or appoint a person to a church position (such as a vicar or rector).
    • The advowson of the parish was passed down through the family for generations.
    • The local lord held the advowson of the village church and chose the new priest.
    • In medieval times, advowson was often treated as valuable property that could be bought or sold.
Synonyms
What does "advowson" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean