Danegeld, a medieval English tax on landholdings. It was the first regular land tax of the Middle Ages in Western Europe. The Danegeld was originally levied by Ethelred II in 991. Its revenues were used to buy off Danish invaders. William the Conqueror used the Danegeld to pay for government expenses. One purpose of the Domesday Book was probably to show details of assessment for the Danegeld. In 1163 Henry II replaced the Danegeld with other taxes.
Danegeld
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