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What was scutage under Henry II’s government?
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Henry II
Henry II (left) disputing with Thomas Becket (center), miniature from a 14th-century manuscript; in the British Library (Cotton MS. Claudius D.ii).
Under the government of Henry II, scutage was a payment made by a knight or tenant-in-chief to the crown to commute, or replace, the military service they were otherwise obligated to provide.12
Henry II actively promoted the use of scutage as a key administrative and financial tool for several reasons:
- Efficiency: Henry preferred receiving money payments over feudal military contingents because he found mercenaries to be more effective and reliable for his military campaigns than traditional feudal levies.2
- Administrative Control: In 1166, Henry commanded his tenants-in-chief to disclose the number of knights enfeoffed on their lands. This allowed the crown to accurately assess and collect these payments, ensuring the King took full financial advantage of the system.2
- Bureaucratic Development: The use of scutage was part of a broader effort to mold the feudal monarchy into a more organized, bureaucratic state. By shifting from personal service to monetary taxation, the crown increased its revenue and centralized its authority, reducing reliance on the unpredictable military obligations of the baronage.32