A
benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The
Roman Empire used the Latin term
beneficium as a benefit to an individual from the Empire for services rendered. Its use was adopted by the western church in the
Carolingian Era as a benefit bestowed by the crown or church officials. A benefice specifically from a church is called a
precaria (pl.
precarii) such as a
stipend and one from a monarch or nobleman is usually called a
fief. A benefice is distinct from an
allod, in that an allod is property owned outright, not bestowed by a higher authority.