Several examples are mentioned in Plucknett "Concise History":

1. The Vill ceased to be of general legal importance since Elisabeth poor law and the use of Parish as a taxation unit (page 86).

2. In regards to the Manor, Plucknett writes that "the weakness of central power, too, undoubtedly promoted the growth of small local jurisdictions which were ready to undertake the task of repressing crime and organizing military defense. This process was very probably hastened by the heavy burden of taxation" (page 95).

It is clear that the burden of taxation was used by power capitalist to take advantage of small landowners that were unable to meet the tax requirement. But was is the primarily reason for tax system to be created?

Can anyone find through England history a more social reason for taxation? From the way I understood it- Elizabeth's poor law can maybe be seen as the foundation for the social welfare system existing today in Britain, if so, it might be interesting to find the connection between the two.

-- InbarAsif - 14 Sep 2014