Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To lay (a captured town) under contribution, in time of war, by threat to burn it, or by actually burning it in part.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word brandschatz.

Examples

  • For this extensive and important operation, he was to receive 20,000 florins a month from the general exchequer; and in addition he was to be allowed the brandschatz -- the black-mail, that is to say -- of the whole country-side, and the taxation upon all vessels going up and down the river before Rheinberg; an ad valorem duty, in short, upon all river-merchandise, assessed and collected in summary fashion.

    History of the United Netherlands, 1587a

  • For this extensive and important operation, he was to receive 20,000 florins a month from the general exchequer; and in addition he was to be allowed the brandschatz -- the black-mail, that is to say -- of the whole country-side, and the taxation upon all vessels going up and down the river before Rheinberg; an ad valorem duty, in short, upon all river-merchandise, assessed and collected in summary fashion.

    History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce — Complete (1584-1609)

  • For this extensive and important operation, he was to receive 20,000 florins a month from the general exchequer; and in addition he was to be allowed the brandschatz -- the black-mail, that is to say -- of the whole country-side, and the taxation upon all vessels going up and down the river before Rheinberg; an ad valorem duty, in short, upon all river-merchandise, assessed and collected in summary fashion.

    History of the United Netherlands, 1586-89 — Complete

  • For this extensive and important operation, he was to receive 20,000 florins a month from the general exchequer; and in addition he was to be allowed the brandschatz -- the black-mail, that is to say -- of the whole country-side, and the taxation upon all vessels going up and down the river before Rheinberg; an ad valorem duty, in short, upon all river-merchandise, assessed and collected in summary fashion.

    PG Edition of Netherlands series — Complete

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.