Fuage

/ˈfjuːɑːʒ/ noun

Definition

A medieval tax imposed on each hearth or household, especially in France, also called a 'hearth tax.'

Etymology

From Old French fuage, from feu (hearth, fire), derived from Latin focus meaning fire or hearth. The suffix -age denotes a tax or duty collected in medieval times.

Kelly Says

Imagine taxing people based literally on how many fireplaces they had—that was real! It's one of history's most direct ways of measuring wealth and population, since keeping a fire burning meant you had resources.

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