Anglo Saxon Society

• Groups in England


  • Aristocrats
  • Thegns
  • Peasant farmers
  • Carls
  • Slaves
• Aristocrats


  Earls held large areas of land called Earldoms, and were close advisors to the king. There were around 5-7 Earls.
• Thegns


  Ruled land within Earldoms. There were around 4000-5000 thegns, each one having to pay the Heriot (war gear) and had to equip themselves with horse, sword, shield etc.
• Peasant farmers


  Made up the majority of the population
• Carls


  Free peasants who were not tied to land, around 10% of the population
• Slaves


  Around 10% of the population
• England had a population of around 2 million