Almutium (Or Amess)
is often confounded with, but is wholly distinct from, the amice (amictus). The amess was a hood of fur anciently worn while reciting the offices by canons, and afterwards by other distinguished ecclesiastics, as a defence against the cold. At times it fell loosely on the back and shoulders, and was drawn over the head when occasion required; the ends, becoming narrower and usually rounded, hung down in front like a stole, for which, by some modern writers, it has been mistaken. The amess has a certain similarity to some of the academical hoods now in use. There are very many specimens of this vestment represented on memorial brasses, one of the best of which — a figure of Sir John Stodeley — remains in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Upper Winchendon, Bucks. This garment is still used in the Latin Church, some of the bishops and abbots of which wear imesses of ermine lined with purple. In the Church of England its use appears to have been wholly discontinued.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More