English edit

Noun edit

plough-alms (uncountable)

  1. (historical) alms levied on ploughs (often on those used between certain dates) or ploughlands.
    • 1647, Nathaniel Bacon, “Chapter 11: Of Church-mens maintenance amonsts the Saxons”, in An historicall discourse of the uniformity of the government of England, London: M. Walbancke, page 32:
      Another Income arose from the Plough, and under the name of Plough-alms: at the first it was granted by Edward the Elder generally, and the value was a penny on every plough; and in after times it was ordained to be paid Fifteen days after Easter.