RRR: Council/ruling decisions/legislation
1117
year: 1183
initiator: Principes of the kingdom in Jerusalem
text: Feb. 1-28. An assembly of the principes of the kingdom in Jerusalem agrees that, given imminent needs, a general tax [census] should be collected throughout the kingdom, in order to raise large numbers of horse and foot. With the agreement [de communi] of all principes, ecclesiastical and secular, and with the assent of all the people [plebs], it is publicly decreed that in every city there should be chosen 4 viri prudentes, who, having sworn to act in good faith, will owe on their own behalf, and will compel others, to give, whatever their faith or sex, 1 besant from every 100 of the value of their moveables [their cash, goods and the debts owing to them], and 2 besants in every 100 of the value of their revenues [de redditibus]. Those worth less are liable for foagium: a proportionate tax on each hearth [focus], ranging from 1 besant, through half a besant to a rabuinus if their possessions are worth less than a hearth. The valuations could be assessed personally and will be kept secret. Every church and monastery and all barones and vavassores ought to pay 2 besants for every 100 they have in revenues. Mercenaries [solidarii] will pay 1 besant in every 100. The possessors of casalia must testify on oath as to the number of hearths [foci] in their villae and casalia, and should pay 1 besant for every hearth, so that if a casale has 100 hearths the charge will be 100 besants. Although the rustici can be compelled to repay a lord, the burden should be distributed proportionately between rich and poor rustici. In the regions between Haifa and Jerusalem the proceeds of the taxation should be sent to Jerusalem where they will be received and weighed in sealed bags in the presence of the patriarch or his representative [nuntius], the prior of the Holy Sepulchre and the castellan of Jerusalem. They will be stored in the treasury of the Holy Cross in a chest with 3 locks [serae] and keys, the first to be held by the patriarch, the second by the prior of the Holy Sepulchre and the third by the castellan and the 4 citizen collectors of Jerusalem. In the regions between Haifa and Beirut, the money will be sent to Acre and weighed by the 4 citizen collectors of the city and will be deposited in sealed bags in a chest with 3 locks and keys, of which the first will be held by the archbishop of Tyre, the second by dominus Ioscelinus regius senescalcus and the third by the 4 citizen collectors. The proceeds of the taxation should not be spent on ordinary business but entirely on the defence of the land. The exactions, commonly called tallia, will be exacted once and will not become customary.
Feb. 1-28. An assembly of the principes of the kingdom in Jerusalem agrees that, given imminent needs, a general tax [census] should be collected throughout the kingdom, in order to raise large numbers of horse and foot. With the agreement [de communi] of all principes, ecclesiastical and secular,... more
sources: William of Tyre, pp. 1043-6 (RRH no. 622)