Chancellor Morton's fork
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In the reign of Henry VII, Archbishop Morton, as Lord Chancellor, was
tasked w/ imposing a new tax. To collect the money, he deployed a
device, later called by some Chancellor Morton's fork or Morton's
crutch:
"If the subject is seen to live frugally, tell him because he is
clearly a money saver of great ability, he can afford to give
generously to the King. If, however, the subject lives a life of great
extravagance, tell him he, too, can afford to give largely, the proof
of his opulence being evident in his expenditure."
Such a beauty.
Tags: england
Authors: ag