Legal Definitions - wax scot

Definition: Wax scot is a historical tax on wax candles used in churches, typically paid twice a year. It comes from the Old English word "sceotan," which means "contribution" or "tax." It is also known as cerage or ceratium.

During the Middle Ages, churches were required to pay a wax scot to the local lord or bishop. This tax was usually paid twice a year, at Christmas and Easter, and was based on the number of candles used in the church.

Another example of a wax scot is the fee paid by a medieval craftsman to the guild for the right to use wax in his trade. This fee was also known as cerage or ceratium.

These examples illustrate how wax scot was a common tax on the use of wax during the Middle Ages. It was used to support the church and other institutions, and was an important source of revenue for local lords and bishops.