So I just finished doing my taxes; that time of year when I get acid-reflux and my wife says I turn from her easy-going teddy bear to an irritable grouch. Sorry, babe. Anyways, it got me thinking about taxes in the Arthurian Age. How were taxes collected and what was done with them?
The Romans had, much like the other aspects of their empire, a methodical system for taxes. There was a census about every five years and this was used to assess a yearly poll tax on each adult, which tended to vary. There was also a tax on the value of land, of around 1% to 3%. Custom duties were collected at borders, bridges and gates, at around 2.5%. Items sold at auction were typically taxed at about 1%, and there was a 5% inheritance tax (usually not charged against close relatives). This is rather generalized, partly because additional taxes might be levied in times of emergency, but also because of how the taxes were collected.
Local aristocrats were appointed by the government to collect the taxes, but these people were not going door to door for the often dirty and always thankless job. Sometimes they appointed tax collecting officials who were paid a salary, but more often, they would offer contracts to private citizens or companies to collect taxes. The contractors, known as “publicani”, would offer to pay all the taxes up front. The highest bidder was given the contract to collect taxes from the population. The publicani made their profit by whatever they could collect above what they had paid to get the contract. Needless to say, graft, extortion, cheating and even violence was not uncommon and tax collectors were often seen as the lowest of vermin within the empire.
Tax revolts were not uncommon in the empire, particularly in the 3rd century, when the Western Roman Empire was in crisis. Insurgents known as bacaudae, made up of peasants, runaway slaves and army deserters, caused as much trouble as barbarian invasions and even caused regions, such as Armorica, to break away from Roman control.
Prior to the Roman occupation, most of Britain operated on a barter system, aside from some southern tribes that used coinage because of their frequent trade with Roman Gaul. Rome’s introduction of a standard currency in Britain made trade easier, as well as tax collection. After the Roman government in Britain collapsed, coins became rare and the Celtic British quickly reverted to their old bartering systems for what little trade remained. It changed how taxes were collected in the Arthurian Age.
Without a centralized government, local rulers, warlords and petty kings had to fund and feed their warriors and households from their decentralized holdings. It was difficult and often arbitrary to extract food, livestock and goods from peasants who learned to hide the meager returns of their subsistence farming well, or risk starving. Some taxes were collected from trade, but often, the warlord’s best source of wealth came from raiding their neighbors, and this contributed to the endemic warfare which characterized the “Dark Ages”.
Another form of taxation, which I portray in book 2, The Strife of Camlann, involves the royal court travelling across the realm, staying at the homes of their subordinate lords and being fed and sheltered. On the one hand, it gave the king the opportunity for closer connections with his subjects, to hear petitions and dispense justice. On the other hand, it could be devastating to the local economy if the royal court was large or stayed over-long.
As the early Anglo-Saxons became more established in Britain, they brought their own tax system. It was based on the “hide“, which was a unit of land capable of supporting a free peasant family, usually about 120 acres. A tenant family paid their taxes in much the same way as the Britons, until the Anglo-Saxons started using their own coinage in the 7th and 8th centuries. They also had a system of fines for judicial cases that were paid to the king.
In Europe, the nomadic Huns didn’t have a formalized tax system, instead relying on raiding, plunder, and tribute from those they conquered. The Visigoths in Gaul and Hispania collected tribute from their formerly Roman subjects and also assessed land taxes based on the Roman practice.
In my novels, I have some portrayals related to taxes in the Arthurian Age. If you recognize any of them, or having any thoughts on the subject, I’d love to hear from you. Until next time!
One of the main “Taxation” types that I noticed in Retreat To Avalon was the Levies of Troops sent for Military Campaign in Gaul… This was not quite feudal in the later sense. The King of Alt Clut and The surrounding areas, were giving Military Aid to The Rigotamos (Arthur). In the case of The Alt Clut King, it was due to a Favor owed to Arthur, from when he was still Dux Bellorum, in a Tough Battle against The Picts. Each “warlord” had to decide weather they would support, and how many would be sent. Gawain’s father Gwar was dutiful and sent all he could afford. Gawain, by Ability, Leadership Displayed, and by Birth, was chosen to lead. 5+1 Horsemen and about 30 Infantry Spearmen [Going by memory. My numbers may be off a bit…] This was not the later standard of feudal obligation. It did seem more like a Taxation. Not from The Rigotamos, specifically but from their own King in Alt Clut. Many other warlords/rulers sent a token force. All understood that when they “Marshalled” For War, it would be under the unified Command of The Rigotamos (Arthur). In the case of the King in Alt Clut, it was a favor returned. Later in THE STRIFE OF CAMLANN, there are some incidents of tolls, especially for Naval Passage anywhere. I am trying to avoid ‘spoilers’ here! If anyone reading this has not read “Retreat to Avalon,” “The Strife of Camlann,” and “Hengist” Then they should immediately purchase these books and enjoy a Wonderful, well Crafted, Story. Each of these Books have that, and more. Believable characters and Battles, Heart warming and Heart Breaking Family Situations! Blood, Revenge, Honor, and Love! As a combat veteran, it is not hard to tell that the Author has been in a few “Hairy” situations himself! He also understands Real Love, and expresses it Beautifully! Hengist was the first book that I read. Twice, it was so Damn Good! Followed by Books 1 and 2 of “The Arthurian Age” Twice each… So far. I will quickly run out of complimentary things to say about these books. The temptation is, to Look up all compliments in the OED, and a Thesaurus! Other incidents of taxation are mostly in things like the granting of land, so that one may have an income. This implies taxation of croplands, livestock, and produce in general. One other indirect reference that comes to mind is the local taxation of the area in the beginning of Book 1: A cousin is described as struggling to make ends meet. Even Gawain’s best buddy Gareth seems locked in to a life of Agriculture. This implies a barter system of taxation for those of lower social station. In Book 2 there is a different kind. A form of “Payback” by Reaving. Read these Wonderful Books for more!
The term Progresses was used for this royal travelling but purveyance was its engine.
Purveyance was an important element of taxation particularly where there was a predominately barter economy. The court travelling the country eating the taxes as they went and staying with local lords etc. It could resemble a swarm of locusts ruining the villages through which they passed or it could be relatively benign. Justice and reaffirmation of loyalty could be a two way benefit. It could also be used to ruin an overmighty subject. Elizabeth 1 was a master user.
You know, I meant to include this and somehow forgot to add it. I actually portray it in book 2, “The Strife of Camlann.” Thanks for reminding me, I’ll update the post!