Prisage meaning

Prisage is a medieval custom granting the king the right to take a portion of wine imported into a port as a tax.


Prisage definitions

Word backwards egasirp
Part of speech The word "prisage" is a noun.
Syllabic division pri-sage
Plural The plural form of the word "prisage" is "prisages".
Total letters 7
Vogais (3) i,a,e
Consonants (4) p,r,s,g

Prisage in the Medieval Ages

Prisage, a term from the Medieval Ages, referred to the right of the Crown to take a portion of ships' cargo as a form of tax. This right was exercised mainly in the ports of England and France during the 13th and 16th centuries. The prisage was imposed on certain cargoes, especially wine, to ensure that the Crown received its dues.

The Collection of Prisage

The collection of prisage was a significant source of revenue for the Crown, as it provided a steady income from the import and export of goods. Officials known as "prisage takers" were responsible for assessing and collecting the prisage on behalf of the royal treasury. The amount taken was usually a percentage of the cargo's total value.

Impact on Trade and Commerce

The imposition of prisage had a direct impact on trade and commerce during the Medieval Ages. Merchants often found this tax burdensome, as it increased the cost of their goods and reduced their profits. Despite its drawbacks, prisage was an essential source of income for the Crown and helped finance various royal activities and military campaigns.

Decline of Prisage

Over time, the practice of prisage began to decline as new forms of taxation and revenue collection emerged. By the 17th century, prisage had largely fallen out of favor, replaced by more efficient and equitable methods of taxation. However, the legacy of prisage remains an important chapter in the history of medieval economic policies.


Prisage Examples

  1. The prisage of the wine was determined by the king's officers.
  2. He assessed a prisage on the imported goods.
  3. The ship's captain had to pay a prisage for docking at the port.
  4. Prisage was a common practice in medieval Europe.
  5. The merchants grumbled about the high prisage rates.
  6. Prisage was often used as a way to fund royal expeditions.
  7. They were charged a prisage for using the royal roads.
  8. The nobles were exempt from paying prisage on their goods.
  9. The town imposed a prisage on all exports leaving its borders.
  10. The collection of prisage funds was a controversial issue among the population.


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  • Updated 21/06/2024 - 17:05:39