Legal Definitions - de expensis militum levandis

de expensis militum levandis refers to a historical legal order, or writ, issued in medieval England. This writ commanded a sheriff to collect funds from the inhabitants of a specific county (shire) to cover the travel and living expenses of the knights who represented that county in Parliament. Essentially, it was the legal mechanism for ensuring that elected representatives received an allowance for their public service.

Here are some examples illustrating how this term would have applied:

• Imagine a new Parliament is called by the King in the year 1350. Two knights are chosen to represent the Shire of Kent. Before they embark on their journey to Westminster, a de expensis militum levandis writ would be issued to the Sheriff of Kent. This writ would legally compel the residents of Kent to contribute funds, ensuring the knights had the necessary money for their travel, lodging, and sustenance during their attendance at Parliament.

• Consider a situation in the late 14th century where Sir Thomas, a knight representing Yorkshire, has served diligently through a particularly lengthy parliamentary session. His personal resources are dwindling due to the extended stay in London. To ensure he can continue his duties and eventually return home without personal financial ruin, a de expensis militum levandis writ would be dispatched to the Sheriff of Yorkshire, authorizing the collection of additional funds from the shire's populace specifically to cover Sir Thomas's accumulated and ongoing expenses.

• In the early 15th century, the inhabitants of Cornwall might have been resistant to paying the allowances for their parliamentary representatives, perhaps due to a poor harvest or local grievances. If the elected knights were unable to secure their necessary funds directly, they could petition the Crown for a de expensis militum levandis writ. This writ would then empower the Sheriff of Cornwall to legally enforce the collection of these expenses from the shire, overriding local reluctance and ensuring the knights received their due compensation for serving in Parliament.