BENEVOLENCE

(Lat.) In English History, a species of tax levied by the sovereign. As Its name Implies, it was nominally a gratuity; but was, in point of fact, exacted as a forcecl loan, with or without the condition of repaj-ment, under the reigns of the Plantage net kings. By a statute of Richard III. benevolences were declared illegal; but they were again exacted by Henry VII., and occasionally, by means of circulars under the privy seal, by his succe ors. By 13 C. 2. stat. 1. c. 4. no voluntary aid can be raised on behalf of the king without the authority of parliament; and the general illegality of levying money for the use of the crown without such authority was declared In 1688 by the Bill of Rights. [s. 155]