The History of Talliage: A Medieval English Tax on Wool and Woollen Goods

Talliage was a medieval English tax that was levied on wool and woollen goods. The tax was first introduced in the 13th century, and it was collected by the Crown from wool merchants and traders. The tax was based on the amount of wool produced or imported, and it was calculated as a percentage of the value of the wool.

The term "talliage" comes from the Old French word "tallage," which means "a tax or levy." The tax was originally imposed to raise revenue for the Crown, but it also served as a way to regulate the wool trade and protect English wool producers from foreign competition.

Talliage was a significant source of income for the Crown during the medieval period, and it played a major role in the development of the English wool industry. However, the tax was not without controversy, and it was frequently the subject of disputes between the Crown and wool merchants.