Poll Tax
History: KS3, topic 7.1.2
Poll Tax
King Richard introduced a poll tax due to the war with France which was hated. This tax treated the poor unfairly.
War against France
- In 1369, England declared war on France.
- French troops attacked coastal towns, killing many people.
- People hated the war and thought that the young King Richard had made a bad decision.
Introduction of poll tax
- England could not afford the war with France, so King Richard introduced a new poll tax.
- The peasants were used to paying one lot of tax every 4-5 years.
- But, King Richard asked for five lots of tax in just four years.
Unfair taxation
- The tax system as a whole was unfair, with poor and rich people having to pay the same amount.
- This meant poor people had to pay most of their income to the King, but rich people only paid a small percentage of their income.
Test yourself on Poll Tax
Why was the poll tax introduced?
Why was the tax system unfair as a whole?