The History of Tallage: A Medieval Tax System

Tallage was a medieval tax that was levied on the movable property of towns and villages, including livestock, goods in stock, and other forms of personal property. It was typically imposed by the lord of the manor or the local government, and was used to raise revenue for various purposes, such as financing military campaigns or repairing infrastructure.

The term "tallage" comes from the Old French word "taille," which means "cutting" or "tax." It was often assessed as a flat rate per person or per unit of property, and could be paid in cash or in kind (i.e., in goods or services). Tallage was a common feature of medieval taxation systems throughout Europe, and was used to supplement other forms of taxation, such as the poll tax and the land tax.

Tallage was not always a popular tax, however, and was often the subject of protests and revolts by the peasants and townspeople who were required to pay it. In some cases, tallage was used as a form of punishment or retribution for those who failed to pay their taxes on time or in full.