God's penny

The rector of Caldbeck is, or was, entitled to claim a God’s penny upon the change of tenant by death, in his manor in the lower part of the parish.

‘I draw you to record, lordës all;’ With that he cast him a God’s penny; Then he took to his bags of bread, And they were full of the gold so red.

With that he cast him a God’s penny.

Though "God's Penny" was still collected at the fairs and market places of Old France for the conversion of Indians at Mont Royal, the fur trade was rapidly changing the character of the place.

In the early part of the sixteenth century God's Penny was paid at Waterford on ships' freights; and at Youghal, in 1611, it was paid into court for the right of buying wines on board ship.