key features - Anglo-Saxon

• 2 key features of a Witan

  1. The witan was a council of leading Saxon nobles. Its role was to make important decisions such as selecting the monarch
  2. The witan advised the monarch. This helped the monarch deal with situations such as rebellions or those who were suspected of not being loyal
• 2 key features of an Earl

  1. Earls were the most senior nobles in England. They governed large areas of land and collected taxes in their region
  2. Earls were also generals and led the thegns in wars against the King (or England)'s enemies  
• 2 key features of the King

  1. The King sat at the top of the social ladder and held absolute power. His powers included: making new laws.
  2. The king controlled many things such as the minting of new coins and controlled lands 
• 2 key features of Anglo-Saxon Village Life

  1. Work life  - Most people who lived in villages would be peasant farmers working for the lords The Church - This was the centre point of the village. Most Anglo-Saxon churches were built from wood
• 2 key features of The Social System in Anglo-Saxon England

  1. The King was the top of the social system and his role is to defend the country, pass laws and control the church
  2. The Earls were the most senior nobles in England. They advise the King and enforce laws
• 2 key features of Policing in Anglo- Saxon England

  1. Tithings - Every male over 12 joined a tithing. This was a group of ten men who were responsible for policing each other's behaviour
  2. Hue and cry - If a crime took place everyone in the village would stop their work and help look for the the offender
• 2 key features of The economy in Anglo-Saxon England 

  1. The Village economy- Villages had an agricultural economy. Peasants and freemen were farmers who grew wheat, barely and vegetables and raised animals. 2. The Urban economy- Towns were usually located on large rivers or the coast. This meant that they could be used as ports for international trade. England exported wool, iron and cheese
• 2 key features of The Church in Anglo-Saxon England 

  1. Importance - the church was very rich and powerful and played an important role in the government of the country. 2. Beliefs - people believed that heaven and hell were real places. Therefore it was vital to attend to church in order to have a happy afterlife, also believed that God played an important role in everyday life, affecting their health, harvests and so forth
• 2 key features of the Legal system in Anglo-Saxon England 

  1. Punishments such as Wergild - This was a fine given to victims family as a compensation. There were different fines depending on the crime 2.Trials such as Trial by jury- The jury consisted of men that knew the accuser and the accused. They would decide who was telling the truth
• 2 key features of the Monarchy in Anglo-Saxon England 

  1. The king was the head of the government. He and his household moved around the country to show his authority.  2. The king held absolute power, he is expected to defend the country, pass laws and ensure they are obeyed etc
• 2 key features of Anglo-Saxon towns

  1. Markets- the towns were centred around the market. People from the surrounding villages would bring any of their surplus good to trade in the town  2.Housing- houses were built from the same materials as in villages; wood, wattle and daub. However, people living in towns were usually of higher status and wealth than those living in villages
• 2 key features of Anglo-Saxon trials 

  1. Trial by jury - The jury consisted of men that knew the accuser and the accused. They would decide who was telling the truth
  2. Trial by ordeal- This was used if the jury could not make a decision. God was seen to be the judge. People were subjected to physical ordeals such as placing their hand in boiling water. If the wound healed cleanly they were considered to be innocent.
• 2 key features of an Anglo-Saxon Housecarl 

  1. they were elite bodyguards of earls. They were properly armed and would fight in the king's army alongside the fyrd
  2. A second key feature was that their main weapon was the Dane-Axe. This was a large two banded axe that when used would prevent them from carrying a shield