Ship Money
Definition
Ship money was a tax levied on counties in England to fund ships for defense during times of emergency. King Charles I controversially expanded its use during peacetime to raise revenue without Parliament's consent.
Analogy
Imagine if your school started charging all students an extra fee for new sports equipment, even those who don't participate in any sports. That's kind-of how ship money worked - it was an extra tax everyone had to pay, whether they benefited from it or not.
Related terms
Taxation Without Representation: A phrase used by American colonists to protest against British taxes imposed without their consent through representatives.
English Civil War: A series of civil wars fought between supporters ("Cavaliers") and opponents ("Roundheads") of King Charles I over governance issues including taxation like ship money.
Divine Right Theory: The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, used by Charles I to justify his actions.
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