HEREGELD Meaning and
Definition
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Heregeld is a term with origins in Old English, derived from the words herian, meaning 'to fight', and geld, meaning 'payment'. It refers to a tax or tribute imposed in medieval England during the Anglo-Saxon period, specifically during the reigns of Ethelred the Unready and Canute the Great.
Heregeld was essentially a form of military taxation imposed on the population to fund the defense of the kingdom against external threats, such as Viking invasions. This tax was collected from landowners and ordinary freemen based on the size of their property or landholdings. The assessment of the heregeld tax was carried out by local assessors known as 'geld-rapmen'.
The purpose of heregeld was to gather funds to support the military efforts of the kingdom, including the maintenance of defensive fortifications, the provision of arms and armor, and the financing of troops. The amounts imposed varied depending on the region and the perceived level of threat faced.
Heregeld was a significant source of revenue for the monarchy during times of conflict. However, it gradually fell out of use as the Norman Conquest in 1066 led to changes in the tax system and the establishment of new forms of royal revenue, such as feudal dues. Thus, heregeld is primarily associated with the Anglo-Saxon era and serves as a historical testament to the financial mechanisms employed to safeguard a kingdom during turbulent times.
Common Misspellings for HEREGELD
- geregeld
- beregeld
- neregeld
- jeregeld
- ueregeld
- yeregeld
- hwregeld
- hsregeld
- hdregeld
- hrregeld
- h4regeld
- h3regeld
- heeegeld
- hedegeld
- hefegeld
- hetegeld
- he5egeld
- he4egeld
- herwgeld
- hersgeld
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