Tonnage and poundage facts for kids

Tonnage and poundage were special taxes in England. They were first collected during the time of King Edward II.

Tonnage was a tax on every barrel (called a "tun") of wine brought into the country. Most of this wine came from Spain and Portugal. Poundage was a tax on the value of other goods that were bought or sold across borders.

Traditionally, the Parliament would give the king the right to collect these taxes for his whole life. However, this changed when King Charles I became ruler. These taxes were finally stopped by a law in 1787.

History of the Taxes

These taxes started in the 1300s. Tonnage was a tax on imported wines. Poundage was a tax on the value of all goods brought in or sent out. It was usually about 5% of the goods' value.

At first, merchants agreed to pay these taxes. Later, in 1373, Parliament started granting them. They were given for a limited time at first. The taxes were meant to help protect the country. From the time of King Henry VI, Parliament usually gave these taxes to the king for his entire life.

King Charles I and Parliament

When King Charles I became king, his first Parliament decided to break with tradition. They only wanted to give him the right to collect tonnage and poundage for one year. This was because they were worried about how his father, King James I, had used these taxes.

Parliament wanted to control King Charles. By giving him the taxes for only one year, they hoped he would have to ask them for money every year. This would make him less independent.

However, a powerful leader named George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham convinced the House of Lords to block this plan. So, Parliament did not grant King Charles any tonnage and poundage rights at all. This disagreement, along with Parliament trying to remove the Duke of Buckingham from his position, led King Charles to close down his first Parliament.

Disputes Over Taxes

Even without Parliament's approval, King Charles continued to collect tonnage and poundage taxes. This made Parliament very angry. It became a major complaint during his next Parliament in 1629.

When King Charles tried to end that Parliament, members held the Speaker, John Finch, in his chair. They did this until they could read out three important statements. One statement said that anyone who paid these unauthorized taxes was a traitor and an enemy of England.

Impact of the Taxes

King Charles I collecting tonnage and poundage without Parliament's permission was a big reason for later problems. It was one of the main complaints of his Long Parliament. The arguments over these taxes are seen as one of the many reasons that led to the English Civil War.

After the king was restored to power in 1660, these taxes were given to King Charles II and the next two kings for their lives. Later, laws passed during the reigns of Queen Anne and King George I made the taxes permanent. The money from them was used to pay off public debts.

Finally, in 1787, the Customs Consolidation Act officially ended tonnage and poundage. Other ways of collecting money for the government were put in place instead.

See also

• Tonnage
• Ton
• Poundage
• Ship money