an earl was a leading member of both Anglo-Saxon and Norman aristocracy, ruling an earldom on behalf of the king

a thegn was a lower member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy; they were warrior lords holding smaller areas of land than an earl

the aristocracy is a class of people who hold high social rank, often inheriting their status and wealth

a hierarchy is a system in which people are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance

Anglo-Saxon society

History

Pupils will learn about the succession crisis of 1066

Pupils know about how historians have studied the key features of the Norman Conquest

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: who had power in Anglo-Saxon England?

the fyrd was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king

a shire reeve (sheriff) was a king’s legal officer who enforced laws in a shire

piety is strong religious faith that is shown in the way someone lives

The Danelaw was an area in Anglo-Saxon England which had previously been invaded and settled by Danes (Vikings) and had retained some laws and customs that were different from southern England

the Witan was a group of leading aristocrats who advised the king

The Anglo-Saxon monarchy

a shire was the largest unit of administration after an earldom and had its own court

in Anglo-Saxon England, a hundred was a unit of land administration within a shire

a tithing was a group of ten households; together they administered minor disputes in their communities

a hide was the basic unit of administration, the measurement of land which could support one household, which carried obligations of tax and military service

a burh was a fortified town within a shire where most trade would take place

Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England

the economy is the system of trade and industry by which the wealth of a country is made and used

a bishop is a senior member of the Christian Church in charge of an area containing several churches

an archbishop is a bishop of the highest rank who is in charge of churches and other bishops in a particular large area

piety means living in a way that is devoted to religion

The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church

exile is when someone is sent away from your home country

an Anglo-Saxon adviser was a high-ranking noble who gave advice to the monarch, such as an earl or bishop

a successor is a person expected to inherit the throne after the monarch has died

a House refers to a dynasty, a group of leaders or rulers from the same family

a chronicler is someone who writes a record of historical events

Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin

an uprising is an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power

Danegeld was a tax raised to give to the Danes (Vikings) to prevent further invasions

housecarls were the elite soldiers that guarded important people

nobles were people with a high rank in Anglo-Saxon society: earls, bishops, thegns

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: who had power in Anglo-Saxon England?

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These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.