Extract from an indenture by London tax commissioners, 1598 (E 179/146/369)
Transcript
St Hellens parishe
Sir John Spencer knight a commissioner..ccc li…. xl li
William Reade in landes ………. cl li…. xxx li
John Robinson the elder………c li……xiii li vi s viii d
Richard Taylor doctor in landes and fees..x li……xl s
Peter Turnor doctor in landes & fees….x li……xl s
Peter Dallyla…………….xxx li…..iiii li Affid
Robert Honeywood gent in landes…..xl li…..viii li
John Allseppe…………..l li…….vi li xiiis iiiid
John Morrys……………..xxx li…..iiii li
Roberte Springe………….xxx li…..iiii li
Edward Swayne in lande & fees……x li…….xl s
James Scoles…………..xx li….liiii s iiii d
Joane Lomley widdowe…………iii li…..viii s
Anthony Snoade……………x li……xxvi s viii d
James Roking…………..iii li…..viii s
Walter Briggen…………….v li…..xiiis iiiid
John Robinson the yonger………..x li…..xxvis viiid
John Scymme……………iii li….viii s Affid
William Shakespeare………..v li…..xiii s iiii d
George Axon…………….iii li….viii s
Edward Jackson…………..iii li….viii s
Notes
Each line contains the name of the person being taxed, the first number in the line is the value of their belongings and the second number (at the end of the line) is the amount of tax they have to pay at this collection.
Therefore Sir John Spencer has goods worth 300 and he therefore owes 40 in tax.
li = pounds
sterlings = shilling
Affid. = affidavit: this indicates that the person has not paid the tax which he/her owes to the Exchequer
Roman numerals
c = 100
l = 50
x = 10
v = 5
vi = 6
iv = 4
i = 1
3. This is an extract from a list made by the tax commissioners of people living in St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, who had not paid their tax in October 1598. (This area of London was close to Shoreditch where the Lord Chamberlain’s company of actors performed.)
- What is the difference in time between Source 2 and Source 3?
- How much tax does Shakespeare now owe?