KeyTopic1:Anglo-SaxonEngland and the NormanConquest,1060-66 Flashcards
King Edward
Edward the confessor, King of England 1042-66
anglo-saxon england
the period of history of the part of britain thta became known as england from the fith century until the Norman conquest of england in1066
role of the King
head of the government, made all the important decisions, good military skills, laws made and obeyed and he had to manage his nobles by co-operating with them and controlling them
who were the most important nobles
earls
how many earls were there
about 6
who were the witan
the wise men, most powerful nobles
what did the witan do
offered their views to the king, offer a recommendation if the king wanted advice on the succession
hundred
a subdivision of a shire, having its own court
reeve
a local official, in particular the chief law officer of a town or district in Anglo-Saxon england
sheriff
the chief officer of the crown in a shire, having various administrative and judicial functions
shire
a county area in england
what did the earls do
controlled large areas of england, prevented rebellions, upheld laws and raised armies
who is the most powerful out of thegns and earls
earls
most important earldoms
wessex,mercia,northumbria,east anglia
who are thegns and what they do
nobles who held their lands directly from the king in return for military service in time of war
what was land divided into
shires and hundreds
who looked after the shires
sheriffs
who looked after hundreds
reeves
who were ceorls
free men who owned their land, they had to serve in an army if called on to do so
who were peasants
rented land from the thegn and had to do work on his land for three days each week
barter
exchange of goods for other goods without using money
blood feud
a lengthy conflict between families involving a cycle of retaliatory killings
diocese
an area administered by a bishop
mutilation
injuring or disfiguring severely, especially cutting off body parts
