Anglo-saxons History

• Who was the most powerful person in Anglo-Saxon England?

  The king
• What did kings grant to earls in order to govern the country?

  Some of their power
• What was the name of the king's council in Anglo-Saxon England?

  The Witan
• What was the area of Anglo-Danish law and custom known as?

  The Danelaw
• What did the king need to allow the Danelaw?

  Some independence
• Who could thegns complain to about earls who governed an earldom badly?

  The king
• In what year did the complaint against Tostig, the earl of Northumbria, occur?

  1065
• What role did the Witan play in the complaint against Earl Tostig?

  Deciding what should happen
• What was the role of the Witan in relation to the king's power?

  Advised the king but was not a limitation
• Who decided who was appointed to the Witan?

  The king
• On what matters did the king decide the Witan should advise him?


  What the Witan should advise him on
• Was the king obliged to follow the advice of the Witan?

  No, he did not have to
• Who were the most important men in the country after the king?

  The earls
• What did the earls govern on the king's behalf?

  Large areas of England
• What portion of taxes collected by earls were kept for governing and protecting their earldom?

  A third
• What was one of the powers earls were granted in relation to law and order?

  Overseeing law and order
• What role did earls play in the king's military?

  King's generals
• Who did earls lead in battle against the king’s enemies?

  Their loyal thegns
• What could large earldoms lead to for earls in Anglo-Saxon England?

  Becoming very powerful
• What were the years of Edward the Confessor's life?

  1003-1066
• What was an advantage of Edward the Confessor as a religious leader?

  People believed God was guiding him
• Who was Edward the Confessor married to?

  Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin
• What was a disadvantage for Edward the Confessor due to his exile in Normandy?

  Few supporters in England
• What was a significant disadvantage for Edward the Confessor regarding succession?

  He had no children
• Who did Edward the Confessor struggle to keep control of?

  Earl Godwin
• Who was the only person who could make new laws?

  The king
• What did everyone have to do in relation to the king's laws?

  Obey them
• What economic activity did the king control regarding currency?

  Minting and distribution of coins
• Who decided when a tax was paid and how much it should be?

  The king
• What resources were at the king's command?

  All of England's resources
• Why was the king chosen to lead his people, according to the text?

  Chosen by God
• What could the king do with land in relation to his followers?

  Grant or take it away
• What army and fleet could the king raise?

  The fyrd
• What was Anglo-Saxon England's system of government designed to ensure?

  King's wishes were carried out
• What duties did each community complete?

  Providing men, collecting tax, maintaining order
• What was the shire reeve also known as?

  Sheriff
• Who did the shire reeve represent in local government?

  The king
• How was each earldom divided?

  Into shires
• How was each shire divided?

  Into hundreds
• How was each hundred divided?

  Into tithings