Legal Definitions - heordpenny

Definition: Heordpenny (pronounced hərd-pen-ee) is a tax that was collected on each house in England and paid to the Pope. It was called heordpenny because it was collected on St. Peter's Day. This tax is also known as Peter-Pence or Hearth Money.

During the Middle Ages, the heordpenny was a tax that was collected from every household in England. The money collected was sent to the Pope as a sign of loyalty and support.

For example, if a household had two hearths, they would have to pay two heordpennies. This tax was collected annually on St. Peter's Day, which is on June 29th.

The heordpenny was abolished in England in 1689, but it remains an important part of English history and the relationship between the English monarchy and the Catholic Church.

These examples illustrate how the heordpenny was a tax that was collected from every household in England. The amount of tax paid was based on the number of hearths in the household. The tax was collected annually on St. Peter's Day and was sent to the Pope as a sign of loyalty and support.