Hostidele

Hostidele is a term that refers to a historical practice, predominantly found in medieval and early modern Europe, where individuals or groups would offer hospitality to traveling clergy or religious figures. This offering often included food, lodging, and sometimes financial assistance. The practice was rooted in religious obligation and the belief that aiding those dedicated to God's service would bring spiritual merit or blessings.

The recipients of such hostidele were typically monks, nuns, friars, pilgrims, and other religious itinerants. These individuals often traveled for various reasons, including pilgrimage, spreading religious messages, or fulfilling church duties. The hosts, ranging from wealthy nobles and monasteries to humble peasants, provided these necessities as a form of charity and piety. In some instances, established institutions or guilds might have had specific rules or traditions regarding the extent and duration of hostidele provided.

While hostidele was largely a voluntary act of religious devotion, it also served practical purposes in societies with limited formal infrastructure for travelers. It facilitated the movement of religious personnel and the dissemination of religious ideas across distances. The decline of hostidele as a widespread practice coincided with the rise of more formalized inns, hospices, and the changing social and religious landscape during and after the Reformation.