Anglo-Saxon monarchy and government Flashcards
How could a person’s status increase?
If they paid for it eg. a slave could buy their freedom and become a peasant
Who was the most powerful?
The king
Who was beneath the king?
The earls were powerful lords and huge areas of land
Who was beneath the earls?
The thegns were less powerful
Who made up 10% of the population?
Ceorls
Who were the ceorls?
Freemen who owned small areas of farmland
What did all male ceorls have to do?
Serve in the army
How much of the population did slaves take up?
10%
How much did peasants take up of the population?
70%
What were the four main earldoms?
Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex and East Anglia
What did the king appoint thegns to do?
He appointed them as sheriffs to collect taxes in the shires, carry out justice in the king’s court and raise an army if needed
How much of the population did thegns take up?
Less than 1%
Who were the Witan?
A council that advised the king
What was the Witan made up of?
Thegns as well as some bishops and abbots to represent the church
