A butlerage was a duty of two shillings on every ton of wine imported into England by merchant strangers; so called because it was paid to the king`s butler for the king. The tax was first implemented in 1302 and stopped being levied in 1809. ...
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butlerage
• (n.) A duty of two shillings on every tun of wine imported into England by merchant strangers; -- so called because paid to the king`s butler for the king.
Found on
http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/butlerage/
But'ler·age noun (O. Eng. Law) A duty of two shillings on every tun of wine imported into England by merchant strangers; -- so called because paid to the king's butler for the king.
Blackstone. Found on
http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/B/118
Butlerage was an old English duty, whereby every ship importing over twenty tons of wine was taxed two tons for the crown. The duty was changed to a tax of two shillings on every Tun in the reign of Edward I, and was payable to the king's butler, whence the name.
Found on
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/browse/JB.HTM
the privilege allowed the king's butler to take a certain quantity of every cask of wine imported by an alien. Cf. prisage.
Found on
https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/butlerage
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