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Peter's pence

or Peter pence

noun

  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.

Peter's pence

noun

  1. an annual tax, originally of one penny, formerly levied for the maintenance of the Papal See: abolished by Henry VIII in 1534
  2. a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics in many countries for the same purpose

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Peter's pence1

1175–1225; Middle English Peteres peni (singular)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Peter's pence1

C13: referring to St Peter , considered as the first pope

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