Peter's pence

Peter's pence
1. an annual tax or tribute, originally of a penny, paid by certain English property owners to the papal see until the Reformation.
2. a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics.
Also, Peter pence.
[1175-1225; ME Peteres peni (sing.)]

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In medieval England, an annual tax of a penny paid by landowners to the papal treasury in Rome.

Peter's Pence was instituted during the 7th or 8th century and continued until the 16th century. It also existed in several northern European kingdoms.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Peter's pence — n. 1. an annual tax, orig. of one penny, paid to the papal see by certain English property owners before the Reformation 2. an annual voluntary donation made by Catholics everywhere to the papal see: Also Peter pence …   English World dictionary

  • Peter's pence — 1.) money given by Roman Catholics in many countries to help to pay for the running of the ↑Vatican (=the offices of the Pope) 2.) a tax of one penny which each person in England had to pay to the ↑Pope until Henry VIII stopped it in 1534 …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Peter's pence — [Rom feoh] Denarius Sancti Petri. A penny tax each year on every house in England, collected at midsummer, and paid to the Holy See. Just when it began is not clear. A letter from Canute in 1031 mentions the penny owed to Rome. Claims were made… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Peter's pence — Pe′ter s pence′ or Pe′ter pence n. 1) rel an annual tax of a penny from each household, formerly paid to the papal see 2) rel a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics • Etymology: 1175–1225 …   From formal English to slang

  • Peter's pence — noun plural but singular in construction Etymology: Middle English; from the tradition that Saint Peter founded the papal see Date: 14th century 1. an annual tribute of a penny formerly paid by each householder in England to the papal see 2. a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • PETER'S PENCE —    an annual tribute of a silver penny per household in England to support the chair of St. Peter at Rome, and which continued more or less to be levied from the end of the 8th century till the days of Elizabeth, when it ceased. The payment has… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Peter's pence — plural noun 1》 historical an annual tax of one penny from householders with land of a certain value, paid to the papal see. 2》 (since 1860) a voluntary payment by Roman Catholics to the papal treasury. Origin named after St Peter, the first Pope …   English new terms dictionary

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