Fifteenths

Defined in 7 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Stimson (1881), Burrill (1850)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

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

A temporary aid, consisting of a fifteenth part of the personal property in every township, borough, and city in the kingdom. The valuation of the kingdom was fixed, and a record made in the exchequer of the amount (twenty-nine thousand pounds). This valuation was not increased as the property in the kingdom increased in value; whence tiie name came, in time, to be a great misnomer. 2 Inst. 77; 4 Inst. 34; 2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 309; Cowell.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

An ancient tax of one-fifteenth of the value of all personal property.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In English law. This was originally a tax or tribute, levied at intervals by act of parliament, consisting of one-fifteenth of all the movable property of the subject or personalty in every city, township, and borough. Under Edward III., the taxable property was assessed, and the value of its fifteenth part (then about £29,000) was recorded in the exchequer, whence the tax, levied on that valuation, continued to be called a "fifteenth," although, as the wealth of the kingdom increased, the name ceased to be an accurate designation of the proportion of the tax to the value taxed. See 1 Bl. Comm. 309.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

In English laiv. A species of tax upon personal property,

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

In Englishtaw. This was originally a tax or tribute, levied at intervals by act of parliament, consisting of one-fifteenth of all the movable property of the subject or personalty in every city, lownship, and borough. Under Edward ILI., the taxable praperty was assessed, and the value of its fifteenth part (then about £29,000) was recorded in the exchequer, whence the tax, levied on that valuation, continued to be ealled a’ fifteenth,” although, as the wealth of the kingdom increased, the name ceased to be an accurate designation of the proportion of the tax to the value taxed. See 1 Bl. Comm, 309.

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

A tax or aid anciently imposed on cities and towns in England of one fifteenth of their valued personal property.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

[L. Lat. decimm quintal; Fr. quimienieT] In English law. A species of tax upon personal property, formerly imposed upon cities, townships and boroughs in England, that is, not upon the citizens individually, but upon the whole city, town, &c.; and so called, because amounting to & fifteenth part of what each city or town was valued at, or a fifteenth of every man's personal property, according to a reasonable valuation. 2 Inst, 11, \ Bl, Com, 308, 309. Camd, Brit, 168, 171. CowelL Tomlins.