2.1 Anglo-Saxon England, c.1000–1066

• Anglo-Saxon England


  • Well organised
  • Effectively run
  • Many power struggles
• People at the top of society held the power in Anglo-Saxon England
• King


  • Chosen by the Witan
  • Usually one of the most important men in the country
• Earl of Wessex


  • Biggest landowner in England
  • Often made king
• English people saw the king as

  • Their defender
  • His job to raise armies and produce laws to govern the country
• Relationship between the king and important nobles and churchmen

  Important to the successful running of Anglo-Saxon England
• Anglo-Saxon England


  • Had a strong system of government
  • The king would give land and influence to important nobles and churchmen, and they would give him loyalty and troops for an army, and govern the shires for the king
  • By 1000, had efficient administration and trade was prosperous
  • Divided into shires, and the shires were subdivided into hundreds – each hundred had its own law courts and would provide the king with an army when needed
  • The lesser nobles (or thegns) carried out administration for the king (they might act as bailiffs, estate managers or tax collectors)
  • By 1000, was famous for its coinage
• Vikings


  • Had threatened peace in Anglo-Saxon England for a long time
  • Attacked Anglo-Saxon England often
  • Anglo-Saxon kings tried to defend England against the Vikings by paying them Danegeld (a payment to prevent raids) – this was often advised by the Witan
  • Alfred the Great managed to bring relative stability to England and the Vikings settled in the north and east. This area became known as the Danelaw
  • By 980, had started to attack the coasts of England again
• Troubles at the end of Aethelred's reign

  • Aethelred found it difficult to maintain good relationships with some of his subjects
  • Some of the local lords did not believe that Aethelred could protect England from Viking raids
  • The Witan advised Aethelred to pay Danegeld to the Vikings in 991, however they returned in 994 with the hope of being paid off again
  • In 1002, Aethelred gave an order that all Danes living in England should be killed – this was unpopular with nobles who ruled over Danish people, and many refused
  • In 1013, Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark, led a full-scale invasion of England and Aethelred went into exile
• England under Cnut and Edward

  • When Sweyn Forkbeard died in 1014, English nobles asked Aethelred to return to the throne
  • Aethelred died in April 1016 and by October 1016 Cnut (Sweyn's son) had conquered England
  • Cnut executed several Anglo-Saxon nobles and gave their lands to his loyal followers, but most Anglo-Saxons were allowed to keep their land
  • Cnut divided England into four earldoms: Northumbria, East Anglia, Mercia and Wessex
  • Throughout Edward's reign, Godwin, Earl of Wessex, caused problems
  • In 1051, Godwin went into exile with his sons after a failed attempt to overthrow Edward
  • Godwin returned to England in 1052 and was successful – Edward was forced to back down and Godwin effectively became the ruler of England
  • After Godwin died, his son Harold Godwinson took over Wessex
  • Edward the Confessor died without an heir – although the Witan chose Harold Godwinson, there were other claimants to the throne