Dane-geld (Danegeld, Danegelt) was a tribute paid to the Danes to stop their ravages in England. It was first raised by Ethelred II in 991, and again in 1003; and was levied after the expulsion of the Danes to pay fleets for clearing the seas of them. The tax was suppressed by Edward the Confessor in 1051; revived by William I in 1068; and formed part of the revenue of the crown, until it was abolished by Stephen in 1136. The tax was levied on every hide of land (as much as one plough could plough) at a rate first of one shilling and later as much as seven shillings. Research Dane-geld
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Abbreviations
Research Dane-geld
