Peter’s Pence

During the Anglo-Saxon period there was no greater supporter of Catholic practices and believes than English Churchmen. Christianity had been brought to England by monastic missionaries sent be the Pope, and throughout this period there was neither doubt nor questioning of the Catholic faith. From England missionaries would set off to preach to the heathens of Germany and Scandinavia.From the start the English Church maintained that the full responsibility for supporting the church should be held by the lay powers. Anglo-Saxon Kings had been accustomed to sending a financial contribution to Rome. This contribution, known as 'Peter's Pence' would continue to be collected and sent throughout the Anglo-Saxon age. In addition to this payment to the Pope in Rome the state also insisted that the English clergys' demands should also be met by laymen. The Plough arms was a penny paid within a fortnight of Easter for each working plough team within the parish; The Soul-Scot was a donation of chattels paid to the church for the benefit of a dead mans soul ; and the Church-Scot (varying in different parts of the country) was a portion of grain payable to those churches founded by the early missionaries.From the tenth century onwards these tithes would become a part of the law of the land, although it would be some time before such payments would be accepted as the personal endowment of the parish priest. Initially these tithes would be used to benefit the poor and pilgrims. It being considered a Christian duty to provide for such religious purposes.