Legal Definitions - expensis militum non levandis

Definition: Expensis militum non levandis is a Latin term that refers to a writ that prohibits the sheriff from levying any allowance for knights of the shire on persons who held lands in ancient demesne.

Example: In medieval England, some lands were held in ancient demesne, which meant they were reserved for the court's own use. If a person held such land, they were exempt from paying allowances for knights of the shire, as stated in the writ of expensis militum non levandis.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the writ of expensis militum non levandis was used to prevent the sheriff from collecting allowances for knights of the shire from those who held lands in ancient demesne. This was because such lands were reserved for the court's own use and were exempt from certain taxes and fees.

Related Terms:

• Demesne: Land held in one's own right, especially land attached to a manor and reserved for the court's own use.
• Ancient Demesne: A manor that was held by the Crown at the time of William the Conqueror and was recorded in the Domesday Book.
• Demesne as of Fee:Complete ownership of something.