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'''Danegeld''' was a royal tax (Olde English ''geld'') which was levied in [[England]] between 991 and 1012 in order to buy peace from the [[Denmark|Danish]] invaders. The geld was assessed according to [[hide|hidage]] and was separate and distinct from the general geld.  The term is formed by combining "Dane", which refers to the Danish invaders who received the money, with "geld", which means (in Olde English) "payment" or "tribute."

'''Danegeld''' was a royal tax (Old English ''geld'') which was levied in [[England]] between 991 and 1012 in order to buy peace from the [[Denmark|Danish]] invaders. The geld was assessed according to [[hide|hidage]] and was separate and distinct from the general geld.  The term is formed by combining "Dane", which refers to the Danish invaders who received the money, with "geld", which means (in Old English) "payment" or "tribute."

King Ethelred II, who governed England from 978-1016, imposed this royal tax in order to preserve his kingdom despite the unwillingness of his subjects, who derisively called him "the Unready," to defend it.   

King Ethelred II, who governed England from 978-1016, imposed this royal tax in order to preserve his kingdom despite the unwillingness of his subjects, who derisively called him "the Unready," to defend it.