Anglo-Saxon England And The Norman Conquest, c1060-87 Flashcards
Who were the Witan?
The witan were a council of advisers to the king who discussed threats, disputes and the succession of a new king. They were not a limitation on his powers
Who were the earls?
As the most potent after the king, they governed earldoms on the King’s behalf and depended on the support of thegns
Describe three features of Earls
- Collected taxes from their earldom for the king and kept 1/3 of it for maintaining the earldom
- Oversaw law and order in their earldom through justice and legal punishments
- They had great military power as the King’s generals; Each earl had a group of housecarls and lead their loyal thegns into battle
What was Edward the confessor’s life span?
1042-1066
Four strengths of Edward the Confessor
- A pious figure. People believed God was guiding him
- Respected as a wise lawmaker
- Yielded a powerful military force of Earls and thegns
- Married to Edith of Wessex, daughter of the wealthy and powerful Earl of Godwin
Five limitations to Edward the Confessor’s power
- Exiled from Normandy; lacked support in England
- No children to succeed him
- The powerful Earl of Godwin could place pressure on him
- Edward and Godwin fell out in 1050. Edward forced Godwin into exile, yet he returned in 1051 with an army. Edward granted him back his earldom to prevent war
- Restricted by the laws and customs of the Danelaw
Who were the Shire reeves (Sheriffs)?
Shire reeves (Sheriffs) were the King’s representative in local government and were issued orders via writs
Describe three features of Shire reeves (Sheriffs)
- Judged at the shire court
- Collected fines, enforced law, provided men for the fyrd and maintained roads + defences
- Collected the geld tax levied on land
What is a hide?
An area of land covering approximately 120 acres
Who were the general fyrd?
An army composed of 1 man from every 5 hides
Who were the selective fyrd?
Well-equipped thegns and their followers with fixed service of 40 days
Each earldom was divided into ______, overseen by a Shire Reeve.
Shires
Each shire was divided into ____ (equal to 100 hides in certain regions)
Hundreds
Each hundred was divided into ______ (group of 10 households)
Tithings
Describe five features of the legal system in Anglo-Saxon England
Collective responsibility: if one member of a tithing broke the law, all would suffer
Wergild (compensation for the dead) to avoid blood feud
Hue and cry: the community or Sheriff could call on others to track down a criminal
Treason against the king was common. The death penalty could be imposed
Trial by ordeal: God was asked to judge cases when community courts (trial by jury) could not. Included torture
Two features of Anglo-Saxon economy
- Good climate for farming. We know this because western England was suited to sheep-rearing and Eastern England had drier conditions and fertile soils for crops
- The King controlled the process of minting. We know this because coins had to be a standard thickness and weight and forging carried a harsh punishment
Two features of Burhs
- Burhs were trading hubs. We know this because towns grew in importance because of international trade links
- Each shire had a Burh. These were planned so that no one was more than 15-20 miles away from safety if news of a Viking raid party reached them
Describe three features of Thegns
- Local lords who lived in a Manor House and held > 5 hides of land
- Had duty to provide men for the fyrd when needed
- Often built churches on their land. This brought villages together for a service on Sunday
Describe four features of the church/religion
- Resistant to reform, focusing on Saxon and older Celtic saints. People felt as if they were part of their everyday lives
- Church was controlled by a bishop. Bishops served on the Witan as the King’s advisors
- People were worried about the afterlife. For example, Edward the Confessor devoted time to rebuild the Westminster Cathedral
When did Earl Godwin pass away and who succeeded him?
1053, Harold Godwinson
State six reasons why the House of Godwin was so powerful (Think: PIMDLL)
Political marriages
Influence of the church
Military successes
Defensive importance
Leadership
Landownership
Why was there a rising against Earl Tostig of Northumbria in 1065? (Think: TART)
- (Double) Taxation (of Northumbrians)
- Abuse of power
- Relationship with Malcom III - King of Scotland
- Tostig’s image as a southerner
Who did Edward the Confessor marry? Why was this significant?
Edith of Wessex (Earl of Godwin’s daughter). This political marriage became a symbol of Earl Godwin’s power over Edward and provided him with connections to the monarchy
Who did Harold Godwinson marry? Why was this significant?
Edith of Mercia. This meant that he inherited more land in East Anglia on her behalf
