Faculty

Faculty in England, is a special privilege or dispensation granted by favor and indulgence to enable a person to do that which he is not permitted to do without it. There is a court of the Facultie the chief officer of which is master of the Faculties, under the archbishop of Canterbury that has power, by 25 Henry VIII, 21, to grant dispensations to marry, to hold two or more incompatible benefices, and the like; and in it are registered the certificates of peers to their chaplains to qualify them for pluralities and non-residence. The last gives authority to grant such dispensations "for any such matters, not being repugnant to the holy Scriptures and the laws of God, whereof before such dispensations, etc., had been accustomed to be had at the see of Rome. Up to the time of passing this act, the pope, notwithstanding the statutes which had been passed restraining his authority, continued tou exercise his powmer, and to draw a commsiderable revemamme for indmilgences, etc. the sittings of the court have always been held at Doctors' Commons" (q.v.).