How did taxation systems under the Capetians and English monarchs differ?

The Capetians relied on a system of direct taxation, while English monarchs used a system of feudal dues and indirect taxes.

The Capetians, who ruled France from the 10th to the 14th century, implemented a system of direct taxation. This system was based on the principle that the king had the right to levy taxes on his subjects to finance the state's needs. The most common form of direct tax was the 'taille', a tax on land and property. The amount of tax each person had to pay was determined by royal officials, who assessed the value of each person's property. This system was often criticised for being arbitrary and unfair, as the assessments were often based on outdated or inaccurate information.

In contrast, the English monarchs, particularly during the Middle Ages, relied on a system of feudal dues and indirect taxes. Feudal dues were payments made by the king's vassals in return for the land they held from him. These could take the form of military service, or 'knight's fee', or payments in kind, such as crops or livestock. Indirect taxes were levied on goods and services, such as the 'scutage', a tax on the movement of goods, and the 'tallage', a tax on towns and boroughs. These taxes were often collected by the king's sheriffs, who were responsible for enforcing the king's rights and collecting his revenues.

The two systems reflected the different political and social structures of the two countries. In France, the king was seen as the ultimate authority, with the right to tax his subjects directly. In England, the king was seen as the first among equals, with his power balanced by the rights and privileges of his vassals. This meant that he had to negotiate with them for their support, and could not impose taxes without their consent. This led to the development of the English Parliament, as a forum for these negotiations.

In summary, the Capetians used a system of direct taxation, based on the king's right to levy taxes on his subjects, while the English monarchs used a system of feudal dues and indirect taxes, reflecting the balance of power between the king and his vassals.