Histories and Castles

Throughout history, taxation has been one of the most effective—and controversial—tools of power. From medieval kings to modern governments, rulers have taken wealth from their subjects, often under the threat of punishment. But is taxation simply a necessary part of civilisation, or is it little more than state-sanctioned theft? When we look at history, the answer becomes clear: taxation has often been nothing more than a legalised form of extortion, enriching the elite at the expense of the people.

Medieval Taxation: A System of Exploitation

In medieval England, taxation was a direct reflection of power. Kings and lords imposed taxes on their subjects, not for the benefit of the people, but to fund wars, expand their rule, and line their own pockets.

One of the most infamous medieval taxes was the Danegeld, introduced by King Æthelred the Unready in the late 10th century. This was a tribute paid to Viking raiders in exchange for not attacking England. Essentially, the people were forced to pay a tax to keep themselves safe from an enemy their own king couldn’t defeat—a protection racket by another name.

After the conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror introduced the Murdrum Fine, a severe penalty imposed on local communities if a Norman was found murdered and the culprit remained unidentified. This law aimed to deter the native English population from attacking their Norman occupiers by holding entire villages financially accountable for such incidents. Additionally, William implemented the Forest Laws, designating vast areas as royal forests where hunting and woodcutting were strictly regulated. These laws not only restricted the traditional rights of the English people but also served as a significant source of revenue for the crown through fines and penalties. These measures exemplify how taxation and legal reforms were utilized as tools of control and economic exploitation during Norman rule.

The Norman Yoke: Taxation as Oppression

After the conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror introduced the Murdrum Fine, a collective tax imposed on villages where a Norman was found murdered. This was designed to force the local Anglo-Saxon population to police themselves under the threat of financial ruin.

But William’s most infamous tax measure was the Domesday Book (1086), a vast survey of England designed to record land ownership and wealth for taxation purposes. This allowed the Norman kings to extract as much wealth as possible from their subjects. The Feudal System was built upon taxation—peasants (serfs) were forced to work the land for their lord, who in turn owed taxes and military service to the king. The idea that the common people could own their own wealth or land was simply not an option.

The Peasants’ Revolt: Taxation Pushes People Too Far

By the 14th century, taxation had reached breaking point. King Edward III and his successor, Richard II, had bled the country dry with poll taxes, a deeply unfair system where everyone paid the same amount, regardless of their wealth. This was particularly brutal on the poorest in society, who could barely afford to feed their families.

The final straw came in 1381 when yet another poll tax was introduced to pay for England’s failing war with France. This sparked the Peasants’ Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, which saw thousands march on London, furious at the injustice of a system where the rich grew richer while the poor were crushed under the weight of taxation. Tyler and his rebels stormed the Tower of London, executed royal officials, and demanded an end to serfdom and unfair taxes. Although the revolt was brutally suppressed, it shook the foundations of English society and forced the monarchy to reconsider its approach to taxation.

Magna Carta: A Stand Against Royal Theft

Another defining moment in the fight against taxation came in 1215 with the signing of Magna Carta. King John, infamous for his heavy taxation and constant wars, had pushed the English barons to their limit. His relentless demands for money to fund disastrous military campaigns in France led to outright rebellion. The barons captured London and forced the king to sign Magna Carta, which limited royal power and introduced the principle that taxation should only be imposed with the consent of the people—or at least their representatives.

This was a revolutionary idea at the time. It laid the groundwork for parliamentary control over taxation, though in practice, kings continued to find ways to extract money from their subjects.

The Glorious Revolution: Taxation Without Representation

By the 17th century, the struggle over taxation reached another crisis point. King Charles I’s decision to levy Ship Money, a tax traditionally reserved for coastal defence but now imposed across the entire country, led to widespread outrage. Parliament argued that taxation without their consent was illegal—an argument that eventually contributed to the English Civil War.

After Charles I was executed in 1649, Oliver Cromwell’s republic imposed even heavier taxes to fund its wars in Ireland and Scotland. The monarchy was restored in 1660, but taxation continued to be a source of contention. In 1688, the Glorious Revolution saw King James II deposed and replaced by William III and Mary II, who were forced to accept the Bill of Rights (1689). This established once and for all that taxation required parliamentary approval—a direct response to centuries of rulers treating taxation as their personal income.

The American Revolution: Taxation Sparks Rebellion

The idea that taxation is theft gained further traction in the 18th century with the American Revolution. The British government imposed taxes on its American colonies, such as the Stamp Act (1765) and the Tea Act (1773), without giving them parliamentary representation. This led to the famous slogan: “No taxation without representation.”

The American colonists saw British taxation as an unjust seizure of their wealth, much like medieval peasants resented the demands of their kings. When their peaceful protests were ignored, they took up arms, leading to the War of Independence (1775–1783). The new United States would go on to establish a system where taxation was supposed to be more accountable, though governments still found ways to extract wealth from their citizens.

Lessons from History: Taxation is Still Theft

History repeatedly shows that taxation has been used as a tool of oppression, whether to fund wars, enrich rulers, or maintain control over the population. From medieval peasants to American revolutionaries, people have always resisted unfair taxation.

Even today, taxation remains a system of forced wealth extraction. Governments claim taxes fund essential services, but how much of it is wasted on bureaucracy, corruption, and military campaigns? People are not given the choice to opt out. If they refuse to pay, they face fines, asset seizures, or imprisonment—just as medieval peasants did centuries ago.

The question remains: if taxation is truly for the public good, why must it be enforced under threat of punishment? The answer is simple—it is not about public good. It is about power.