Mount of Piety

Mount of Piety

Mount of Piety is a literal translation from " [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montes_de_Piedad Montes de Piedad] " or "Pío Monte". There is no colloquial term to describe this Franciscan charity institution . Formed in the 15th century in Italy, their aim was to eradicate usury through low- or non-interest paying loans. Advances were made against some kind of collateral in pawn (typically, jewellery or real estate). Initial capital was raised through charitable donantions and then, following its original Thomist Philosophy, the Mounts would only finance short-term needs.

The Mount of Piety is a different organisational form from the so-called Montepío, which appeared during the second half of the 18th century. The Montepío was a mutual, agnostic, and government controlled institution established by craftsmen or lesser standing professionals to care for members' needs when disabled or rehabilitating. They operated under a Patron Saint and in a church or monastery but without any religious obligation (and many had an ephemeral life).


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mount of piety — Mount Mount (mount), n. [OE. munt, mont, mount, AS. munt, fr. L. mons, montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent, menace: cf. F. mont. Cf. {Mount}, v., {Mountain}, {Mont}, {Monte}, {Montem}.] 1. A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mount of piety — See also: Montepío (disambiguation) A mount of piety was an institutional pawnbroker run as a charity in Europe from the later Middle Ages times to the 20th century, more often referred to in English by the relevant local term , such as monte di… …   Wikipedia

  • mount of piety — Mont de pi et e Mont de pi [ e] t[ e] [F., fr. It. monte di piet[ a] mount of piety.] One of certain public pawnbroking establishments which originated in Italy in the 15th century, the object of which was to lend money at a low rate of interest… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mount — (mount), n. [OE. munt, mont, mount, AS. munt, fr. L. mons, montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent, menace: cf. F. mont. Cf. {Mount}, v., {Mountain}, {Mont}, {Monte}, {Montem}.] 1. A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising considerably… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mount Olivet —     Mount Olivet     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Mount Olivet     (Latin, Mons Olivertus.)     Occurring also in the English Bibles as the Mount of Olives (Mons Olivarum), is the name applied to the hill that is over against Jerusalem (III Kings,… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Mount Palatine, Illinois —   Unincorporated community   …   Wikipedia

  • Savings bank (Spain) — In Spain, a savings bank (Spanish: caja de ahorro or informally just caja , Catalan: caixa d estalvis ) is a financial institution which specializes in accepting savings deposits and granting loans. Their original aim was to create the habit of… …   Wikipedia

  • Mont de Piété — Definition= Both the Italian term monte di pietà and the French term mont de piété translate into English as mount of piety. This fifteenth century institution originated in Italy and was developed in cities as a reform against money lending.… …   Wikipedia

  • Monte di Pietà — The Monte di Pietà were the first pawnbrokers in Europe.DefinitionBoth the Italian term monte di pietà and the French term mont de piété translate into English as mount of piety. The first institution was started in 1361 by the Bishop of London,… …   Wikipedia

  • Mont de pi'et'e — Mont de pi [ e] t[ e] [F., fr. It. monte di piet[ a] mount of piety.] One of certain public pawnbroking establishments which originated in Italy in the 15th century, the object of which was to lend money at a low rate of interest to poor people… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”