Hidage (/ˈhaɪdɪdʒ/) is a term used to describe a tax or tribute paid in Anglo-Saxon England based on land measurement. The word is derived from the Old English 'hiwan' meaning household or family and 'dag' meaning day, together forming 'hidage'. The spelling of this word is unique and may require assistance in pronunciation for non-native speakers. The IPA phonetic transcription /ˈhaɪdɪdʒ/ breaks down the pronunciation into syllables, making it easier to understand and articulate.
Hidage is a term used to describe a form of taxation in medieval England that was based on an assessment of the number of hides, or units of land, owned by an individual or community. A hide, in this context, referred to an area of land that was considered sufficient to support one household. Hidage was commonly used as a means to levy taxes and determine the financial obligations of landowners towards the crown or local authorities.
The process of calculating hidage involved establishing the number of hides owned by a landowner or community, and then applying a specific rate or tax to each hide. The purpose of hidage was primarily to generate revenue for the government, although it also served as a means for landowners to assert their rights and privileges.
Historically, hidage has been associated with the Anglo-Saxon period in England, particularly during the reign of King Edward the Elder in the 10th century. The specific details and rates of hidage varied over time and across regions, reflecting changes in political and economic circumstances.
In summary, hidage can be defined as a system of taxation based on the number of hides or units of land owned by individuals or communities. It played a significant role in medieval England as a means to levy taxes and determine financial obligations, helping to generate revenue for the government and establish the rights and privileges of landowners.
The word "hidage" comes from the Old English term "hid", which refers to a unit of land measurement or a land-tax assessment. The Old English term "hid" was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hidō", meaning "piece of land". The suffix "-age" is a common English word ending used to indicate a collection or a condition, as in "voyage" or "damage". Therefore, "hidage" originally referred to the collection or assessment of hids for taxation purposes in medieval England.