Monarchy And Government Flashcards
Define danelaw
The area in which vikings lived and ruled
Define burn
A fortified town (surrounded by strong walls)
Define earl
The most important group below the king, they were appointed by the kings and collected taxes and oversaw law
Define earldom
Huge areas of land controlled by earls which consisted of thousands of acres
Define shire
A large town in which local people are hid and were protected if the area came under attack
Define fryd
The army
Define thegn
Local lords who controlled villages on behalf of the king, protected villagers and collected tax
Define ceorl
Free peasants who worked for thegns or earls but were not owned by them
Define slave
People who were treated as property as they could be bought and sold
What is the witan?
A council of about 40 men that advised the king which was made up of thegns, bishops and abbots
How could a person increase their status?
Pay for it
What percentage of the population were slaves?
9.7%
What were the four main earldomes?
Northumbria, Mercia, east anglia, Wessex
What did it mean that the thegns were a warrior class?
They could afford weapons and horses and were always expected to be ready to fight
What was a ceorls life valued at?
200 shillings so this would be paid to his family if he was murdered
