Law and Order in Anglo Saxon society

Question 1

What were the 5 main powers of the King?

Answer 1

1. Law-making
(made/enforced laws)
2. Money 
(controlled production of silver pennies)
3. Landownership
(owned large estates and gave/took from loyal followers/disobedient subjects)
4. Military Power
(controlled army/fleet)
5. Taxation
(Decided when taxes paid)

Question 2

What was the kings main duty?

Answer 2

The kings duty was to protect his people from attack and give them laws to maintain safety and security.

Question 3

What were the 4 main duties of the people?

Answer 3

1. Obey the kings law
2. Use the king’s coins
3. Land holders - had to provide and equip fighters for the army
4. Landholders - had to pay taxes
   (otherwise they were fined/lost their land)

Question 4

What was the main way law and order was maintain in Anglo Saxon society?

Answer 4

Taking Oaths - Anglo Saxons swore on holy relics to make them binding. Religious belief made them very effective.

Question 5

At what age did Anglo Saxon boys swear their oath of loyalty to the king?

Answer 5

12 years old.

Question 6

What was a “Shire-reeve”?

Answer 6

An official of the king in charge of the kings estates and managing local courts

Question 7

What 3 main powers did Earls have?

Answer 7

1. Taxes
   - they were responsible for collecting taxes in their Earldom. They received a big share - 1/3 - meaning they were very rich!
2. Overseeing justice and legal punishments
   - Most kind of crime came under their jurisdiction = strong social power: controlling and influencing people
3. Military leaders
   - Rules over many hundreds of Thegns (Warrior class) and an elite bodyguard of professional soldiers called “Housecarls” - So they were like generals to the king

Question 8

Whats a Housecarl?

Answer 8

. Highly-trained troop that protected his lord (Earl) wherever he went.