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)

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

But the Peter’s pence count up in a remarkable manner, and are paid with a regularity which only blind devotion, or the zeal of religious partisanship, can exact.

From Gwen Wynn A Romance of the Wye by Reid, Mayne

One of those West-Saxon Kings, called Ina, made many good laws, some of which are still extant: he also was the first that granted Peter's pence to the Pope.  

From A Museum for Young Gentlemen and Ladies Or, a Private Tutor for Little Masters and Misses by

Peter’s pence, 36, 40, 49, 61, 84, 181, 204.

From The English Church in the Middle Ages by Hunt, William

The loss of temporalities thus occasioned was made up by Pius IX. out of Peter's pence flowing in so abundantly from abroad; each bishop receiving 500 and each archbishop 700 lire in the month.

From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.