The New International Encyclopædia/Annates

ANNATES, ăn′nā̇ts, or First Fruits. In ecclesiastical law, the value of every spiritual living for a whole year (hence the name, from the Lat. annus, a year), which the Pope, claiming the disposition of every spiritual benefice within Christendom, reserved out of every living. This impost was at first only levied from persons appointed to bishoprics; but it was afterward extended to the inferior clergy. The value of these annates was calculated according to a rate made under the direction of Pope Innocent IV. (1253 A.D.), but which was afterward increased by Pope Nicholas III. (1292 A.D.). The valuation of Pope Nicholas is still preserved in the exchequer. This Papal exaction was abolished by the Act 25 Henry VIII. c. 20, and by an act passed in the following year of the same reign (26 Henry VIII. c. 3), the right to annates, or first fruits, was annexed to the crown. The various statutes subsequently passed on this subject have all been consolidated by an act (1 Vict. c. 20) regulating the collection of the moneys so levied. See First Fruits; Queen Anne's Bounty.