anglo-saxon society

• What was the role of the Witan in Anglo-Saxon England?

  It advised the king but had no power
• Who made new laws in Anglo-Saxon England?

  Only the king
• What did the king control regarding taxes?

  The raising and distribution of taxes
• What was the king's power over landownership?

  The king could grant or take away land
• What was the fyrd in Anglo-Saxon England?


  The king's army and fleet
• What was the Danelaw?

  Half the country with its own laws
• Who could complain to the king about earls?

  Theges (local lords)
• What were the advantages of Edward the Confessor?

  He was a respected leader and wise lawmaker
• What was the role of earls in Anglo-Saxon England?

  Govern large areas on the king's behalf
• How much tax did earls keep from their earldom?

  A third of the taxes collected
• What military role did earls have?

  They led their loyal thegns in battle
• What was the shire reeve's role?

  The king's representative in local government
• What tax was levied on land?

  The geld tax
• What were the responsibilities of the shire reeve?

  Collect taxes, judge cases, maintain defenses
• How was Anglo-Saxon England administratively divided?

  Into shires, hundreds, and tithings
• What was a tithing in Anglo-Saxon England?

  Originally 10 households
• What was the hide in Anglo-Saxon England?

  An area of land about 120 acres
• What was the concept of collective responsibility?

  Community members share legal accountability
• What was the hue and cry?

  A call for community help to catch criminals
• What was wergild?

  Compensation paid to avoid blood feuds
• What was trial by ordeal?

  A method to ask God to judge cases
• What percentage of the Anglo-Saxon population were nobles?

  0.2% (4000-6000 nobles)
• What was the role of the Church in Anglo-Saxon society?

  Provided clerks and record keepers
• What were the five key features of the Anglo-Saxon Church?

  Bishops' wealth, literacy, local priests, monks, resistance to reforms
• How could peasants change their social status?

  By acquiring land or selling themselves into slavery
• What was the significance of thegns in Anglo-Saxon society?

  They were the warrior class with land and military duties
• What was the power of the Godwins in the 1060s?

  They dominated Anglo-Saxon politics
• Which major earldom was not controlled by the Godwins?

  Mercia
• How did the Godwins increase their power?

  Through important political marriages
• What was King Edward's relationship with the Godwins?

  He tried to free himself from their dominance
• What might have influenced Edward's promise to William?

  His exile in Normandy
• Who did Harold Godwinson marry between 1057 and 1052?

  Edith, daughter of Ælfgar
• What was the relationship between Ælfgar and Leofric?

  Ælfgar was Leofric's son
• What were the political marriages that strengthened the House of Godwin?

  • Earl Godwin’s daughter Edith married King Edward.
  • Harold Godwinson married Edith of Mercia.
  • Harold Godwinson married Edith the Fair.
  • Tostig Godwinson married Judith of Flanders.
• Why did King Edward seek to reduce Earl Godwin's power in the 1050s?

  He wanted to free himself from dominance
• What was the significance of Edward's exile in Normandy?

  It influenced his promise to William
• What happened when the Godwins returned from exile?

  Edward pardoned Godwin
• Who died in 1055, leading to instability in Northumbria?

  Earl Siward
• What was Tostig Godwinson's significant political marriage?

  To Judith, daughter of Baldwin of Flanders
• Why did King Edward agree to make Tostig Earl of Northumbria?

  To stabilize the region after Siward's death