Contents - Index

Customary dues, payments & services
Help Main Page Return to Domesday data



There are a wide variety of customary payments and services recorded in Domesday Book. They were recorded unsystematically, many occurring only in a single county or circuit. The majority were payments or services in kind whose meaning is self-evident. This is true also of some of the more curious customs: dog dues, the Queen's gold, or gifts to a lady 'so that she might be happy.' The majority of these customs were described in the sections of Domesday Book describing the county Customs or the royal lands. The more obscure, or important, customs are described here; for a complete list, see Domesday Book: index of subjects, edited by J.D. Foy (Chichester, 1992).

For the most significant customary dues, payments & services, see

army bodyguard
cartage customary due
customs death duty
defence obligations escort
exaction expedition
forfeitures gift
guard penny heriot
military service naval service
premium presentations
relief tallage
third penny tribute
wardship warnode.