Obs. English Law. Forms: 2 boreghal-, borghalpani, 4 burghalpenni, 5 borthalpeni. (Spurious forms only Hist. and in Dicts.: 7 brodehalpeny, -halfpeny, broodhalpeny, -halfepeny, broadhalfepenny, bordhalpeny, -halfpeny, 8–9 bordhalfpenny.) [Of uncertain form and meaning; perh. f. burghal, or some other deriv. of BOROUGH, + PENNY.]
A municipal tax of some kind; in ancient charters certain monasteries are exempted from paying it.
Cowell’s guess (quot. 1607) adopted by later writers, appears to be founded on an erroneous derivation. Apparently the word became obs. early in 15th c.; perhaps even long before that time, as the examples in the later charters may be merely repetitions of a conventional formula.
c. 1177. Charter Hen. II. (Waltham Abbey), in Dugdale, Monasticon, II. 14. Warda & Wardpani & Boreghalpani.
c. 1190. Charter Rich. I. (Waltham Abbey), ibid., II. 16. Warpani & borghalpani.
1355. Charter Edw. III. (Pulton Priory), ibid., II. 827. Wardepenny & Burghalpenny.
1414. Charter Hen. V. (Shene Priory), ibid., I. 976. Averpeny, Hundredpeny, & Borthalpeny [error for Borȝhalpeny].
[1607. Cowell, Interpreter, Brodehalpeny commeth of the three Saxon words (bret a boord) and (halve) that is, for this or that cause … and (penning) it signifieth a tolle or custom for setting up of tables or boords in a Faire or Market.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 42. Broodhalpeny, in some Copies Broodhalfepeny, that is, to be quit of a certaine custome, exacted for setting up of Tables or Boords in Faires…. At this day the freedome it selfe … is called by the name of Broadhalfepenny.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Brodehalfpeny.
1664. Spelman, Gloss., Bordhalpeny.
1670. Blount, Law Dict., Bord-halfpeny.
1706. Phillips, Bord-halfpenny: so in Bailey, and mod. Dicts.]
