Legal Definitions - hudegeld

Hudegeld (also known as Hydegeld) was an ancient form of land tax or payment in England. It was a levy imposed on a unit of land known as a "hide," which was a historical measurement of land, typically considered large enough to support a single household or family, though its exact size could vary regionally.

• Example 1: Feudal Obligations

  Imagine a medieval English manor where Sir Reginald, the local lord, owned extensive agricultural lands. His tenants, who farmed specific plots within the manor, were obligated to pay him an annual "hudegeld." This payment was calculated based on the number of "hides" their leased land encompassed, contributing to Sir Reginald's income and the maintenance of the manor's infrastructure.

  This example illustrates hudegeld as a payment from tenants to their lord, directly tied to the amount of land (measured in hides) they occupied.

• Example 2: Royal Taxation for Defense

  During a period of national conflict in 12th-century England, the King might have needed to raise funds quickly to equip an army. Royal officials could have issued a decree imposing a "hudegeld" across various counties. Landowners, from wealthy barons to smaller freeholders, would then be required to pay a specific sum to the Crown for each "hide" of land they possessed, thereby contributing to the kingdom's defense efforts.

  Here, hudegeld functions as a royal tax, levied on landholders across the kingdom to fund state activities, with the amount owed proportional to the "hide" measurement of their property.

• Example 3: Historical Land Records

  A historian researching economic practices in Anglo-Saxon England might consult ancient charters and Domesday Book entries. Within these documents, they could find records detailing "hudegeld" payments made by various individuals to the Crown or local authorities. These entries would specify the amount paid and the corresponding "hide" measurement of the land, providing valuable insight into land ownership, taxation, and the economic structure of the period.

  This scenario demonstrates hudegeld as a recorded financial obligation linked to land ownership, serving as a historical indicator of wealth and tax burdens based on the "hide" unit.