benefit of clergy

Noun phrase

A legal privilege in medieval Europe that allowed members of the clergy to be tried in ecclesiastical courts instead of secular courts.

ریشه

From Middle English 'benefit of clergie', influenced by Latin 'beneficium' (benefit) and Old French 'clergie' (clergy).

مثال

• During the Middle Ages, the benefit of clergy provided certain legal protections to members of the clergy.
• The benefit of clergy allowed clerics to avoid harsh punishments in secular courts.
• The privilege of benefit of clergy was gradually abolished in many European countries.