Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England
I can describe how Anglo-Saxon England was governed.
Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England
I can describe how Anglo-Saxon England was governed.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Earls were very powerful, holding economic, legal and military control over their earldoms.
- King Edward relied on the earls for military power and government.
- Earldoms provided a local government and legal system which was divided into shires, hundreds, tithings, and hides.
- Every five hides had to provide one man for the fyrd.
- Local government provided a centralised Anglo-Saxon state with justice administered in local communities.
Keywords
Shire - a shire was the largest unit of administration after an earldom and had its own court
Hundred - in Anglo-Saxon England, a hundred was a unit of land administration within a shire
Tithing - a tithing was a group of ten households; together they administered minor disputes in their communities
Hide - 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
Burh - a burh was a fortified town within a shire where most trade would take place
Common misconception
England did not have any fortified settlements until the Normans built castles.
In fact, Anglo-Saxon burhs were fortified settlements, built to protect towns from Viking attacks.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: who had power in Anglo-Saxon England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a unit of land administration within a shire.
a group of ten households
the largest unit of administration after an earldom