Particular import and export duties, traditionally granted to the monarch for life by parliament.
Tunnage and poundage
Fact of the Day
Since 1558, England has had a female head of state for 41% of the time.
Quote of the Day
"If a book is worth reading, it is worth buying.
"
~ John Ruskin
On This Day
1701 The deposed James II (or VII of Scotland) died in exile from a brain haemorrhage. He was the last Catholic king of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
1982 The massacre of hundreds of Palestinian men, women and children began in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon. It continued for two days.
1992 The British government was forced to withdraw the pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) on what became known as 'Black Wednesday'.
1994 The BBC lifted a ban on the voices of Sinn Fein and other Irish republican and loyalist representatives being broadcast.
