Anglo-Saxon society, monarchy and government

Question 1

In Anglo-Saxon society what could you pay to increase? Example

Answer 1

You could pay to increase your status, for example, a slave could buy his freedom and become a peasant

Question 2

In Anglo-Saxon society what was the king?

Answer 2

.Most poweful

.Had control over the church

Question 3

In Anglo-Saxon society who were the earls?

Answer 3

.Powerful Lords

.Held huge areas of land

Question 4

In Anglo-Saxon society who were the thegns?

Answer 4

.Nobles

.Less powerful than earls

Question 5

In Anglo-Saxon society who were the ceorls?

Answer 5

.10% of the population
.Freemen
.Owned small areas of land
.All male ones had to serve in the army if needed

Question 6

In Anglo-Saxon society who were slaves?

Answer 6

.10% of the population

.Worked on lords land

Question 7

In Anglo-Saxon society what percentage of the population did the peasants take up?

Answer 7

70%

Question 8

In Anglo-Saxon society who were the witan?

Answer 8

.When the king needed advice he would call on the witenagemot, or witan, which was Anglo-Saxon for ‘wise men’
.Only those he summoned could attend
.King had the final decision
.Witan could meet and decide who would be the next king if there was doubt

Question 9

In Anglo-Saxon society what were the 4 main earldoms?

Answer 9

Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex

Question 10

In Anglo-Saxon society what could earldoms be broken down into?

Answer 10

Shires and hundreds

Question 11

In Anglo-Saxon society who were the sheriffs?

Answer 11

King appointed thegns as sheriffs (shire-reefs)
Collected taxes in the shires
Carried out justice in the King’s shire court
Raise soldiers for the army