scutage /ˈskjuːtɪd͡ʒ/ noun1 •(historical) A tax, paid in lieu of military service, that was a significant source of revenue in England in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.The wars and the maladministration of Richard I and John forced these kings more and more to count on extraordinary revenues, to multiply aids and especially scutages. — 1925 formsscutages