Benevolence

Benevolence, in the history of the law of England, was a species of forced loan or contribution, levied by kings without legal authority. It was first so called in 1473, when asked from his subjects by Edward IV. as a mark of good-will towards his rule, but similar compulsory 'free-will offerings' had not been uncommon in former reigns. Under Richard III., in 1484, an act of parliament abolished benevolences as 'new and unlawful inventions,' but spite of this they continued to be exacted by Richard himself and by Henry VII. In 1614 James I. tried, but with little success, to raise money by this expedient, and it was never again attempted by the crown; Charles I. expressly declining to have recourse to it.