Benevolence

In old European law. An extraordinary aid granted by freemen to their sovereign, as a voluntary gratuity. Stwos Annals f^(i\. \ Robertson's Charles V.y Appendix, note xxxviii. The same name was retained after such contributions bad become compulsory. Id. ibid. Benevolences were introduced into England by Edward IV, as modes of raising money and were finally abolished by the Petition of Right, 3 Car. I., and by statute 1 W. & M. St 2, c. 2. 1 Bl. Com. 140. 4 Beeves' HisU Eng, Law, 127, 128..