anglo-saxons and norman england

• the church was the most powerful institution
• in 1064 king Edward sent Harold to Normandy where Harold was taken prisoner but William rescued him. Harold fought for William and was gifted weapons and armour. Harold swore a very serious oath to William
• norman source say that harold swore allegiance to William in recognition that william is the future king of england
• in Anglo- saxon England the king was the most powerful person
• the king had the power of law making, money, taxation, religion, fyrd and land ownership
• the witan was a council that advised the king where the king decided who was appointed and decided what to be advised on. the king did not have to follow the witans advise
• the earls were the most important after the king who governed large areas of England on the kings behalf. they collected taxes, over see law and order in their earldom and had military power