Difference between revisions of "Danegeld"
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| − | '''Danegeld''' was a royal tax ( | + | '''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. | ||
Revision as of 18:38, September 15, 2008
Danegeld was a royal tax (Old English geld) which was levied in England between 991 and 1012 in order to buy peace from the Danish invaders. The geld was assessed according to 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.
After 1066 the term was applied to the general geld which was effectively abandoned in 1162.