tenants in chief

• held their land (fief) directly from the king - they had military, social, political and economic roles
• military role

  • expected to fight with the king and lead their own bands of knights
  • had to defend their own land (fief) and put down any rebellions against Norman rule
  • used their land as a way of providing knights for the king
• social role

  • had to defend their own lands (fief) and put down any rebellions against Norman rules
  • used their land as a way of providing knights to the king
  • each land (fief) had its own court, it judged tenant's legal cases when they were in dispute with each other
• economic role

  • had to give the king a share of the money produced by their fief
• political role

  • often served on the royal council, advising the king when he requested it
• important

  they had to rule individual earldoms on behalf of William

  they provided his armies which were essential for putting down Anglo Saxon rebellions

  they provided money for the king through taxes

  they provided advice