Daneqeld

Danegelt, Danigeld. [L. Lat. Danigeldum, Danegeldus; from Dane, and Sax. geld, money or tribute.] In old English law. Money for the Danes, {trihutum Danicum.) Spelman. A tax of one shilling, and afterwards two shilliugs, upon every hide of land in England, first imposed upon the Saxons in the reign of king Ethefared, for the purpose ci bribing the Danes to desist from their depreda Uons, and afterwards made permanent for the purpose of maintaining an armed force to defend the coast from any invading enemies; thus becoming one of the chief branches of the royal revenue. Spelman, voc. Dardgeldum. Crabb's Hist. Eng. Law, 61. Term^ de la ley.