SOMNOUR Meaning and
Definition
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A somnour is a relatively archaic term used to refer to a summoner, particularly in medieval England. Derived from the Old French word "somoner," meaning to summon, a somnour was an official in the ecclesiastical courts responsible for issuing summonses and citations to individuals who were accused or needed to appear before the court. The role of a somnour was to ensure the attendance of witnesses and accused individuals in cases dealing with matters such as ecclesiastical disputes, moral offenses, or breaches of canon law.
Somnours gained a reputation for being morally corrupt and greedy in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, where the character is depicted as a disreputable figure. These individuals were often seen as opportunistic and indulged in excessive fees, bribes, and blackmail to profit from their position. They were also known to exploit their powers to exert control over the local community.
In addition to their summoning duties, somnours were often tasked with collecting monetary contributions, known as "pence," from parishes, which were destined for the church. However, their methods were sometimes questionable, and it was not uncommon for them to resort to coercion or fraud to ensure payment from the parishioners.
Overall, a somnour was an ecclesiastical officer responsible for summoning individuals to appear before the ecclesiastical courts and collecting contributions for the church. Though their role was essential in the functioning of medieval English courts, the term somnour often conveyed negative connotations due to the widespread corruption associated with the position.
Common Misspellings for SOMNOUR
- aomnour
- zomnour
- xomnour
- domnour
- eomnour
- womnour
- simnour
- skmnour
- slmnour
- spmnour
- s0mnour
- s9mnour
- sonnour
- soknour
- sojnour
- sombour
- sommour
- somnoue
- somnou5
- somnou4
Etymology of SOMNOUR
The word "Somnour" can be traced back to Middle English, deriving from the Old French word "somonour". The Old French term itself comes from the verb "somondre", meaning "to summon" or "to call". In medieval England, a somnour was an ecclesiastical official who was responsible for summoning individuals accused of ecclesiastical offenses to appear before a church court for judgment. Over time, the term "somnour" came to be associated with someone who served summonses or official notices in general.
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