1. an endowment for the singing of masses for the soul of the founder
Usage: historical
2. a chapel or altar so endowed
Usage: historical

Examples

• The wealthy merchant established a chantry to ensure prayers would be said for his soul after death.
• Medieval nobles often founded chantries as acts of religious devotion.
• The small chantry chapel was built adjacent to the main cathedral.
• Many chantries were dissolved during the English Reformation.
• The chantry priest was paid to perform daily masses for the deceased benefactor.
• Historians study chantry records to understand medieval religious practices.