2.3 why did alfred make so many changes to governance? Flashcards
What were Alfred’s 4 areas of governance?
-Hierarchy
-Buhrs
-Economy
-Law codes
What role changed during Alfred’s reign?
Clergy.
What roles were in charge of communication between local and national government?
Thegns and clergy.
Why were the ealdormen so important?
Senior officials and land owners.
Were there any checks on Alfred’s power?
Little, ealdormen have the power to force Alfred to advocate.
Summarise the functions of buhrs. (3)
-Centres of commerce
-Provided refuge, security, easy reinforcement
-Control law and order
Where did buhrs come from?
Frankia, from Charles the Bald.
What were the key buhrs? (5)
-Oxford
-Winchester
-Chichester
-Wareham
-Sourthwork (London), Alfred built this one from scratch, no original fortifications
What were the strengths and weaknesses if buhrs?
+ Military advantage, created a hub for commercial activity
- Maintaining farming was hard, economic burden
What was Alfred’s main motivations behind building buhrs? (2)
Economic growth and defence.
What was wrong with the economy pre-880? (2)
-Anglo-Saxon coinage was debased
-Hyperinflation
What did Alfred do to improve the economy? (3)
How do we know that this was successful? (2)
-Reboots his coinage
-Builds 7 mints
-Serious punishments (mutilation) if you argued
Coins became worth more, liquid wealth of £9.6million
How was Alfred’s improvement to the economy innovative?
Put mints in buhrs.
What was Alfred’s law based on?
Previous Saxon rulers: Offa and Ine.
What were the features of Alfred’s new laws? (2)
-Oath swearing
-Links to mosaic law
