Scutage
/ˈskjuːtɪdʒ/noun
A medieval English tax paid by a knight or landholder instead of providing military service.
Did you know?Scutage became politically explosive under King John, whose demands for the tax helped fuel baronial resistance and the Magna Carta in 1215.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skeu-
“To cover or conceal; a proposed ancestor associated with protective covering”
Classical Latin
Latin
scutum
“A shield, especially the large rectangular shield used by Roman soldiers”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
scutagium
“A payment made in place of military service, literally connected with a shield”
12th Century
Anglo-Norman
scutage
“A monetary payment substituted for a knight’s military obligation”
13th Century
Middle English
scutage
“A feudal levy or tax charged instead of personal military service”
Modern English
English
scutage
“A historical tax paid in lieu of military service”