ABSTRACT
Under the system of taxation used in England during the middle ages, consisting of grants of fractional parts of moveables, persons of the trading class were charged in respect of their stock in trade on the assessed value thereof, and were required to pay a tenth, or other fractional part, according to the amount of the particular grant. The schedules of assessment for the borough of Colchester to the 7th of 1295 and the 15th of 1301 show that all the local tradesmen were taxed, not only in respect of their money in hand, silver and mazer cups, silver spoons, store of food and cows and sheep, but also in respect of their stock in trade: the sea-coal dealer, in respect of his 30 quarters of coal ; the tanner, in respect of his leather, bark, and utensils for his tannery ; the glove-maker, for his white leather and gloves ; the shoemaker, for his leather and shoes, …c. …c.
