Almoner

An almoner is a person who administers alms for a church, hospital, or charitable institution. In medieval Europe, the almoner was a church official charged with the collection and distribution of alms to the poor and the management of related charitable funds. The office was commonly attached to monasteries, cathedrals, or hospitals, and the almoner often presided over the almonry, a room or office dedicated to charity. Duties could include receiving gifts, recording donations, evaluating need, and organizing relief such as food, clothing, or shelter.

In the United Kingdom, the title Royal Almoner denotes a ceremonial position in the royal household, traditionally a clergy member who distributes alms on Maundy Thursday. The role is largely symbolic today, but it reflects the historic duty of the almoner to supervise charitable relief for the poor.

Beyond royal duties, hospital or diocesan almoners have existed to coordinate welfare assistance for patients or parishioners, sometimes functioning as welfare officers or charity administrators. In some contexts, the term has fallen out of common usage and has been replaced by “social worker” or “charity administrator,” though the title is still encountered in historical references or in certain institutions.

See also: almonry, Maundy money, hospital almoner, Royal Almoner.