Definition
danegelts
noun
- plural of danegelt; a tax levied in medieval England, originally to pay tribute to Danish invaders and later used for general revenue.
Usage: historical; archaic
Examples
- The Anglo-Saxon kings collected danegelts to fund their defense against Viking raids.
- Danegelts became a regular source of income for the English crown during the medieval period.
- Historians debate whether danegelts were effective in preventing Danish invasions.
- The collection of danegelts eventually evolved into the modern tax system.