Benevolence - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition benevolence

Definition :

Benevolence, nominally a voluntary gratuity given by subjects to their king, but in reality a tax or forced loan, now yielded only with consent of the House of Commons, in pursuance of the (English) Petition of Right, 3 Car. 1, and 1 W. & M. st. 2, s. 2.

Also an aid granted by a tenant to his lord, in times of distress, abolished by 13 Car. 2, c. 24.