PETER-PENCE

An ancient levy or tax of a penny on each house throughout England, paid to the pope. It was called “Peter-pence,’ ‘ because collected on the day of St. Peter, ad vincula; by the Saxons it was called “Rome-feoh,” “Rome-scot,” and “Rome-pennying,” because collected and sent to Rome; and, lastly, it was called “hearth money,” because every dwelling-house was liable to it, and every religious house, the abbey of St Albans alone excepted. Wharton.