Danegeld
(in medieval England) an additional tax on land believed to have been levied originally as a tribute to the Danish invaders but later continued for other purposes.
Origin of Danegeld
1- Also danegeld, Dane·gelt, dane·gelt [deyn-gelt]. /ˈdeɪnˌgɛlt/.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Danegeld in a sentence
The imposition was called Danegelt, not more burdensome in the thing than scandalous in the name.
Vast sums of Danegelt were yearly sent out of the country to buy off the fresh invasions which were perpetually threatened.
Hereward, The Last of the English | Charles KingsleyWilliam, the conqueror, again imposes the tax of Danegelt which occasioned an armed opposition at Exeter.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThis is the first mention we get of the "danegelt," as it was called.
Cathedral Cities of England | George GilbertThe tax of danegelt, so generally odious to the nation, was remitted in this reign.
British Dictionary definitions for Danegeld
Danegelt (ˈdeɪnˌɡɛlt)
/ (ˈdeɪnˌɡɛld) /
the tax first levied in the late 9th century in Anglo-Saxon England to provide protection money for or to finance forces to oppose Viking invaders
Origin of Danegeld
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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