Anglo-Saxon Kingship Flashcards
How was the king chosen?
Council of highest ranking nobles (Witan), it was often the Earl of Wessex
What was the kings role?
Defend the kingdom and protect the church
How was the Anglo-Saxon state run?
Give and take with nobles and churchmen
What changed in this period?
Viking invasion by Sweyn Forkbeard in 1013, but a lot remained the same
How was England’s land organised?
Numerous kingdoms, mainly Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria
Who were Anglo-Saxon heroes?
Alfred the Great, Athelstan and Edgar
How successful were towns and trade in Aethelred’s England?
Growing town population, businesses were stable, clear laws, efficient administration, functional currency
How successful was the church in Aethelred’s England?
Flourishing, nobles paid for their own churches, source of art and culture, give take relationship with the king
How was Anglo-Saxon England governed?
Most important people in the Witan, Thegns were lesser nobles, in the hundreds officials ruled on the kings behalf
Was Aethelred’s England peaceful?
Viking rivals as well as rivals in Wales and Scotland, Danegeld was introduced, raids were common
What were Aethelred’s problems?
Viking raids, mostly supported by Wessex, successful Viking invasion in 1013
What were Aethelred’s weaknesses?
Trusted the wrong people, couldn’t command loyalty, made bad decisions, poorly advised (Unready)
What happened under Cnut?
Divided into four Earldoms, Earldoms were ruled by others when he was away, relatively peaceful and stable, hard to decide who to succeed when Cnut died
What did Edward the Confessor introduce?
Sheriffs who did day-to-day government jobs
What were Edwards problems?
Couldn’t see eye to eye with the Godwins, Godwins tried to uprise, Godwins successfully invaded after exile, Godwin family had a lot of power
