CONFUSION OF TONGUES

CONFUSION OF TONGUES. See TONGUES.

CONGÉ D'ÉLIRE, in ecclesiastical policy, the king's license or permission to a dean and chapter to choose a bishop; or to an abbey or priory, of his own foundation, to choose their abbot or prior.

The sovereign of England, as temporal head of the church, had formerly the appointment of all ecclesiastical dignities; investing first per bacculum et annulum (by cross and ring), and afterwards by letters patent. But now, the queen, on demand, sends her congé d'élire to the dean and chapter, with a letter missive containing the name of the persons he would have them elect; and if they delay the election twelve days, the nomination devolves on the sovereign, who may appoint by letters patent.