Anglo-Saxon and Norman England

• The population in 1060 was 2 million, 90% of them were peasants and there was around 5,000 thegns.
• There was a social hierarchy: King, Earls, Thegns, Peasant Farmers and Slaves
• Peasants could become thegns by owning five hides of land paying the taxes on them.
• Ceorls were slaves that could change what lord that they work for.
• Thegns were local lords that were in charge of shires and were military figures.
• Peasants and slaves worked the land that was owned by the thegns.
• There were five Earldoms: Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, East Anglia and Kent.
• Part of the north was still under Danish laws and culture, this was called Danelaw.
• The biggest cities were London and York.
• The King took advice on foreign threats, religious affairs and land disputes from the witan who was group of Earls and Bishops.
• The Earls kept 1/3 of the tax that is taxed in their Earldom to themselves.
• The Earls had so much power that they could almost rival the king himself when they grouped together.
• Earldoms were split into shires.
• A tithing was 10 families and they had to have collective responsibility over each other if one of them commits a crime.
• A burgh is a fortified town.
• Each shire had a shire reeve (sheriff) who was responsible for law and order.
• England traded wool between Denmark, Germany and Flanders.
• Trading was based in Burghs which were close together so they could trade between each other.
• In villages, they use subsistence economy meaning that they rely on the land that they work for their own livelihood.
• Some people in villages started to develop their own skills in crafts such as pottery so they could barter for goods, this is called exchange economy.
• Burghs operated in exchange economy and would hold weekly markets where craftspeople set up alongside visiting traders. They would sell things that are not available in smaller shires such as jewellery and leather items.
• It was only at a market that where they would earn silver coins. Only nobles and elite of society used coins to buy products.
• The king was in charge of the mint of silver coins.
• To avoid a blood feud (when people continuously seek revenge on each other) there was a compensation to the harmed's family called weregild.
• The king was the most powerful figure in society, he was chosen by God and every boy over 12 had to swear an oath to him.
• Kings economic power: controlled mint and coin distribution and geld tax.
• Kings military power: had the power over the army and could raise a war.
• Kings law power: made all laws and owned all land so could therefore give it and take it away.
• Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) was a respected but weak king. He wasn't a warrior king, was very religious and relied heavily on the Godwin family who were very strong (militarily and economically).
• Earl Godwin (Wessex) helped Edward to become King and Edward was married to Godwin's daughter Edith, giving royal connections.
• The Godwin's ruled 4/5 earldoms and had great wealth and influence over England.
• Edward needed Godwin's to protect from Danish threat, while Harold and Tostig put down threat of the Welsh Prince in 1062.
• Tostig (Earl of Northumbria), Harold (Earl of Wessex), Leofwine (Kent), Gyrth (East Anglia).
• In 1064 Harold was sent on an embassy to Normandy by Edward, Anglo-Saxons claim it was to recover hostages whereas Normans claim it was to confirm William as heir to the throne.
• It is said that Harold swore an oath upon the bible and old relics to support William when he would become king.
• In 1065 there was an uprising against Tostig by the people of Northumbria

  1. Tostig was from the South and didn't understand Danelaw culture
  2. He abused power by raising geld tax and imposing new laws as well as taking land for himself.
  3. He didn't defend them from Malcom II of Scotland
  4. He ordered the murder of a popular thegn which triggered a riot
• Edward tried to raise an army for Tostig but Harold refused so he had to give in and replace Tostig with Morcar.
• Tostig was exiled and and feeling betrayed by Harold.
• Edward died on 6th January 1066 leaving no heir leaving the Witan to choose who was the next king.
• Edgar Aethling was the closest blood relative but as he was only a teenager so wasn't seen as strong enough to rule.