Legal Definitions - gabella

GABELLA

Gabella is a historical term that refers to:

1. A tax or duty on merchandise.
2. A peasant villager, especially one who pays rent or tribute.

It is also spelled as gavella.

1. In medieval times, merchants had to pay gabella on their goods when they entered a city.

2. The gabella was a burden for the poor peasants who had to pay it to their lords.

The first example illustrates the first definition of gabella, which is a tax or duty on merchandise. The second example illustrates the second definition, which is a peasant villager who pays rent or tribute.