Peter's pence

American  

Or Peter pence

noun

1. an annual tax or tribute, originally of a penny, paid by certain English property owners to the papal see until the Reformation.

2. a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics.

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Peter's pence British  

noun

1. an annual tax, originally of one penny, formerly levied for the maintenance of the Papal See: abolished by Henry VIII in 1534

2. a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics in many countries for the same purpose

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Etymology

Origin of Peter's pence

1175–1225; Middle English Peteres peni (singular)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Peter's pence

The gap has been met by "Peter's pence," the aid offering from churches around the world, and other gifts.

From Time Magazine Archive

She had, moreover, a staunch following of gilt-plated youths who, being really afraid of her, made her a belle as a sort of social Peter’s pence.

From Belford's Magazine, Volume II, No. 8, January, 1889 by Various

It is honorable to the Catholic people that, in the circumstances, they added the good work of supporting the Pontifical army to their collections of Peter's pence.

From Pius IX. And His Time by Æneas MacDonell Dawson

Barrington, too, was the almoner of the monks of the screw, and "Peter's pence" was immortalized in a song by Ned Lysaght, of which I once possessed, but have lost a copy.

From Barrington Volume I (of II) by Charles James Lever

It seems likely that the payment of Peter's pence dates from this reign.

From Canute the Great The Rise of Danish Imperialism during the Viking Age by Laurence Marcellus Larson

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