† ˈburghal-ˌpenny Obs. English Law.
Forms: 2 boreghal-, borghalpani, 4 burghal-penni, 5 borthalpeni. (Spurious forms only Hist. and in Dicts.: 7 brodehalpeny, -halfpeny, broodhalpeny, -halfepeny, broadhalfepenny, bordhalpeny, -halfpeny, 8–9 bordhalfpenny.)
[Of uncertain form and meaning; perh. f. burghal, or some other deriv. of borough, + penny.]
A municipal tax of some kind; in ancient charters certain monasteries are exempted from paying it.
Cowell's guess (quot. 1607) adopted by later writers, appears to be founded on an erroneous derivation. Apparently the word became obs. early in 15th c.; perhaps even long before that time, as the examples in the later charters may be merely repetitions of a conventional formula.
| c 1177 Charter Hen. II (Waltham Abbey) in Dugdale Monasticon II. 14 Warda & Wardpani & Boreghalpani. c 1190 Charter Rich. I (Waltham Abbey) ibid. II. 16 Warpani & borghalpani. 1355 Charter Edw. III (Pulton Priory) ibid. II. 827 Wardepenny & Burghalpenny. 1414 Charter Hen. V (Shene Priory) ibid. I. 976 Averpeny, Hundredpeny, & Borthalpeny [error for Borȝhalpeny]. |
| [1607 Cowell Interpreter, Brodehalpeny commeth of the three Saxon words (bret a boord) and (halve) that is, for this or that cause..and (penning) it signifieth a tolle or custom for setting up of tables or boords in a Faire or Market. 1641 Termes de la Ley 42 Broodhalpeny, in some Copies Broodhalfepeny, that is, to be quit of a certaine custome, exacted for setting up of Tables or Boords in Faires..At this day the freedome it selfe..is called by the name of Broadhalfepenny. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Brodehalfpeny. 1664 Spelman Gloss., Bordhalpeny. 1670 Blount Law Dict., Bord-halfpeny. 1706 Phillips, Bord⁓halfpenny: so in Bailey, and mod. Dicts.] |