Peters Pence

Peter's Pence, a tribute paid by England to Rome from the Anglo-Saxon period down to the Reformation. It was founded by Ina of Wessex in 721, probably for the support of an English college at Rome, and was confirmed in 790 by Offa of Mercia. It amounted to one penny per household, and was paid first as an alms, then as customary, and finally as a tax on pain of ecclesiastical censure. Elizabeth finally abolished it.