What is shipmoney?

Ship money was a tax historically levied in England, primarily during the 17th century, to fund naval defense and maritime activities. Originally, it was a traditional duty collected from coastal towns to support the royal navy, but King Charles I expanded its scope to include inland areas, leading to widespread opposition. The imposition of ship money without parliamentary consent contributed to tensions that eventually escalated into the English Civil War. The controversy surrounding it highlighted issues of taxation and royal authority in England.