Legal Definitions - placuit regi et concilio suo

The Latin phrase placuit regi et concilio suo directly translates to "it has pleased the king and his council."

This historical legal term was used to signify that a decision, decree, or action had received the formal approval and assent of the reigning monarch in conjunction with their advisory council. It reflects a period in history, particularly in medieval and early modern England, where the king, advised by a body of trusted nobles, clergy, and legal experts, held significant executive and legislative power. When a document or proclamation included this phrase, it indicated that the matter had been thoroughly considered and officially sanctioned by the highest authority in the realm.

Here are some examples illustrating its application:

• Granting a Royal Charter: Imagine a group of merchants in 14th-century England petitioning the Crown for the right to establish a new guild with exclusive trading privileges in a particular town. After reviewing the petition and discussing its implications for the economy and existing power structures, the King and his council might approve the request. The formal charter granting these privileges would then be issued, often containing the phrase placuit regi et concilio suo to legally validate that the King, with the counsel of his advisors, had officially sanctioned the creation of the new guild and its rights.

• Issuing a Royal Proclamation or Edict: During times of national emergency, such as a widespread famine or a military threat, the King might need to implement immediate measures, like controlling food prices or conscripting men for defense. Before issuing a nationwide proclamation, the King would consult his council to ensure the proposed actions were feasible, just, and enforceable. Once a consensus was reached, the resulting royal edict, which carried the force of law, would include the declaration placuit regi et concilio suo, confirming that the policy had been deliberated and approved by the monarch and their highest advisors.

• Approving a New Legal Statute (pre-modern Parliament): In the early development of English law, before Parliament gained its full legislative authority, many significant legal changes or new statutes originated from the King and his council. For instance, if there was a need to reform land ownership laws or establish new courts to address specific types of disputes, the King, guided by his legal council, would formulate the new legal framework. The official document outlining these changes would then state placuit regi et concilio suo to confirm that this new law or legal procedure had received the royal and advisory endorsement necessary for it to be recognized and enforced throughout the kingdom.