Divine service was the name of a feudal tenure, by which the tenants were obliged to do some special divine services in certain ; as to sing so many masses, to distribute such a sum in alms, and the like. (2 Bl. Comm. 102; 1 Steph. Comm. 227.) It differed from tenure in frankalmoign, in this: that, in case of the tenure by divine service, the lord of whom the lands were holden might distrain for its nonperformance, whereas, in case of frankalmoign, the lord has no remedy by distraint for neglect of the service, but merely a right of complaint to the visitor to correct it Mozley Whitley.
Home »
Law Dictionary » D » DIVINE SERVICE