(Originally) †the property belonging to the Church (obsolete); (in later use) territory held by the Pope in the vicinity of Rome, the Papal States (now historical).
Origin
Late 15th century; earliest use found in John Lydgate (c1370–c1449), poet and prior of Hatfield Regis.
Definition of patrimony of St Peter in US English:
patrimony of St Peter
noun
(Originally) †the property belonging to the Church (obsolete); (in later use) territory held by the Pope in the vicinity of Rome, the Papal States (now historical).
Origin
Late 15th century; earliest use found in John Lydgate (c1370–c1449), poet and prior of Hatfield Regis.