Murage refers to a historical term that denotes a tax or toll levied upon the construction, maintenance, or repair of city walls, fortifications, or other structures related to defense. The word "murage" finds its origin from the Old French term "murer," meaning "to wall up" or "to fortify," and it was widely used in medieval England during the 13th century. It represented a means for urban authorities to finance the defense and protection of their cities and towns.
Typically imposed by royal decree, murage was collected either in the form of a one-time levy or an ongoing tax on property or trade within the city. The funds collected through murage were utilized in various ways, such as the construction or fortification of walls, gates, towers, moats, or even the maintenance of existing fortifications. The primary objective was to enhance the security and defense capabilities of the urban areas, safeguarding the inhabitants from external threats, including invasions, sieges, or raids.
Murage privileges varied between different locations and periods, as did the rates imposed. While some cities had permanent murage agreements, others would obtain special royal charters granting them temporary rights to impose the tax. Natural disasters, such as fires or floods, often prompted the need for additional funds, leading to the temporary imposition of murage.
As urban defense requirements evolved, the significance of murage declined over time, especially with the advent of more sophisticated military techniques and the emergence of standing armies. Nonetheless, murage remains an important aspect of medieval urban history, illustrating the complex relationships between political authority, infrastructure development, and fiscal policies in the past.
