The word “tithe”, deriving from the Old English teogothian, a “tenth”, signified the 10% of gross agricultural product which Europeans paid to the church until this tax was replaced with more systematic church taxes, usually in the late nineteenth century. The tithe was intended to enable the construction and maintenance of religious buildings, provide benefices to the clergy, and fund succour for the poor. As the church was responsible for many aspects of local government, law and administration, tithes may be seen as a precursor of modern income taxes.

Tithing spread with Christianity, becoming general throughout Europe by the 8^th century and being made obligatory in England under eccles

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Published 14 July 2004

Citation: Editors. "Tithes". The Literary Encyclopedia. 14 July 2004.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1452, accessed 9 February 2010.]