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Danegelt

Defined in 3 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A tax or tribute imposed upon the English when the Danes got a footing in their island.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

An annual English tax to finance fighting the Danes.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

DANEGELD. A tribute of 1s. and afterwards of 2s. upon every hide of land through the realm, levied by the Anglo-Saxons, for maintaining such a number of forces as were thought sufficient to clear the British seas of Danish pirates, who greatly annoyed their coasts. It continued a tax until the time of Stephen, and was one of the rights of the crown. Wharton.