FIRST FRUITS

first fruits. 1.Hist. One year’s profits from the land of a tenant in capite, payable to the Crown

after the tenant’s death. — Also termed primer seisin. 2.Hist. Eccles. law. The first year’s whole

profits of a clergyman’s benefice, paid by the incumbent to the Pope, or (after the break with

Rome) to the Crown. • This revenue was later termed “Queen Anne’s Bounty” when it was

converted to a fund to benefit the poor. — Sometimes spelled firstfruits. — Also termed primitiae;

annates; annats; Queen Anne’s Bounty.[Blacks Law 8th]