The History of Our Customs Aids Subsidies National Debts and Taxes from William the Conqueror to the Present Year MDCCLXXIII

Reprint of the second corrected edition. Originally published in 1761, this is one of the first studies of the history of taxation and the first history of English taxation. As the title suggests, this book provides a history of taxation from the Domesday Book to 1778. The various taxing acts are summarized and, after the reign of William III, are divided into the categories of customs, excise and inland duties. It is more than a bare chronicle, however. Going beyond lists of titles and summaries of the various taxing acts, it offers extensive commentary on their design and effect.