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[–] Reow ago 

I'd really like an answer regarding the middle ages too. All I know is, it was extremely complicated and assessment was only very loosely based on income (it was mostly based on land). At one point or another there was feorm (food that had to be given), fyrd (manpower that had to be given), and geld (money that had to be given), based on how much land one had. Taxation was also more decentralized/hierarchical - the king expected money and men from those he appointed, who expected this from those who worked their lands. My guess is the peasants were bled dry and everything we consider a necessity today would be a luxury to them.