What is "peter's pence"

Peter \Pe"ter\, n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the apostles, Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.] Peter pence, or Peter's pence.

1. An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St.Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money.

2. In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope.

   Peter's fish (Zo["o]l.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.

Peter's Pence is the payment made voluntarily to the Roman Catholic Church. It began under the Saxons in England and is seen in other countries. Though formally discontinued in England at the time of the Reformation, a post-Reformation payment of uncertain characteristics is seen in some English manors into the 19th century. In 1871, Pope Pius IX formalized the practice of lay members of the church – and "other persons of good will" – providing financial support to the Roman See.

Peter's Pence is a 1975 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary about an IRA plot to steal treasure from the Vatican with the help of an Irish-American journalist. They wind up kidnapping the Pope instead.

The book won Best Novel at the 1975 Edgar Awards.