Legal Definitions - auxilium ad filium militem faciendum et filiam maritandam

The term auxilium ad filium militem faciendum et filiam maritandam is a historical legal concept from medieval England. It refers to a specific type of writ, which was a formal written order issued by the Crown.

This writ commanded a sheriff to levy (collect) a special tax from individuals known as "tenants in capite." These were nobles or landowners who held their land directly from the Crown, rather than from another lord. The purpose of this tax was to provide financial aid towards two specific family events for these tenants:

• The knighting of their eldest son (ad filium militem faciendum - "for making a son a knight").
• The marriage of their eldest daughter (et filiam maritandam - "and marrying a daughter").

Essentially, it was a feudal obligation or a form of royal prerogative that allowed the Crown to help its direct vassals fund these significant and often costly family milestones.

Examples:

• Example 1: The Baron's Son

  Imagine Sir Alaric, a powerful baron who holds extensive lands directly from the King. His eldest son, Thomas, has reached the age where he is to be formally knighted, a ceremony that requires considerable expense for armor, horses, and a celebratory feast. To assist Sir Alaric with these substantial costs, the Crown would issue an auxilium ad filium militem faciendum et filiam maritandam writ. This legal order would direct the local sheriff to collect a specific tax from Sir Alaric's feudal holdings. The funds raised through this tax would then be allocated to help cover the expenses of Thomas's knighting, illustrating how this writ provided financial support for a tenant in capite's family event.

• Example 2: The Noblewoman's Daughter

  Consider Lady Beatrice, a noblewoman who inherited her barony and holds her estate directly from the monarch. She is arranging the marriage of her eldest daughter, Eleanor, to a prominent lord from a neighboring region. Such a marriage would typically involve a significant dowry and elaborate wedding celebrations, placing a considerable financial burden on Lady Beatrice. In this scenario, the Crown, recognizing the importance of the alliance and the financial strain on one of its direct vassals, could issue an auxilium ad filium militem faciendum et filiam maritandam writ. This writ would authorize the sheriff to levy a tax on Lady Beatrice's estates, with the proceeds specifically intended to help finance Eleanor's marriage. This demonstrates the application of the writ for the marriage of a tenant in capite's daughter.