Legal Definitions - auxilium regis

Auxilium regis refers to a historical tax or financial contribution levied by a monarch or sovereign ruler. This levy was specifically collected to fund royal expenditures, support the monarch's household, or finance projects deemed necessary for the public good and defense of the realm. It represents a form of royal revenue used for both the personal needs of the Crown and the broader governmental functions of the kingdom.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of auxilium regis:

• Funding a Military Campaign: Imagine King Henry V, preparing for a major military campaign in France, requests a special tax from his subjects. This tax, granted by Parliament or imposed directly, would be used to equip soldiers, purchase supplies, and fund the transportation of his army. This scenario exemplifies auxilium regis because the funds are collected under royal authority for a public service—the defense and expansion of the realm—which also serves the monarch's strategic interests.
• Maintaining Royal Estates and Administration: Consider a situation where Queen Victoria needed substantial funds to maintain her numerous royal palaces, pay the salaries of her extensive court officials, and support the administrative machinery of the government. Parliament might grant a specific subsidy or tax for these purposes. This illustrates auxilium regis as the funds are designated for both the "royal use" of maintaining the monarch's lifestyle and residences, and for the "public service" of supporting the central government's operations.
• Financing Public Infrastructure: In the 13th century, a powerful duke, acting as a sovereign ruler within his territory, might impose a special levy on landowners and merchants to finance the construction of a new defensive wall around his capital city and to improve the main roads connecting key towns. This tax would be a form of auxilium regis, as it is collected by the ruler's authority for a clear "public service" benefit—enhancing defense and facilitating trade and communication within the realm.