Surrey Lay Subsidies

Description

What are Lay Subsidies? By the end of the thirteenth century, land was no longer the only indication of a persons wealth, so a new tax, called Lay Subsidy was levied on movables. Not every householders name is to be found in the returns, because some were too poor to be taxed and clerical properties were assessed and taxed separately; hence the name Lay Subsidy. The Lay Subsidy Rolls can provide a useful, if not wholly all-embracing, locator record for families, details of which may then be checked in the parish registers and manorial records. Three booklets are offered RS31, RS37 & RS39, original value over Nine Pounds.