The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part A. — Part 152

The revenue of the king seems to have consisted chiefly in his demesnes, which were large; and in the tolls and imposts which he probably levied at discretion on the boroughs and seaports that lay within his demesnes. He could not alienate any part of the crown lands, even to religious uses, without the consent of the states.[*****] Danegelt was a land-tax of a shilling a hide, imposed by the states,[*****] either for payment of the sums exacted by the Danes, or for putting the kingdom in a posture of defence against those invaders.[