Far from their dour reputation, the Middle Ages were a period of massive social ... pestilence and the outbreak of civil conflict in England. By Ian Bremner. Richard II and the Crisis of Authority ...

As a result, during the Middle Ages people gained some rights such as a Parliament that had an influence over laws and taxation. Kings used taxes to collect money for wars and other projects.

Why such a seemingly random date? In the Middle Ages England’s tax year—or a nascent version of it—ended on Lady Day, March 25th, a religious festival by when debts had to be settled.