2.3.1 Aristocracy & Society

Question 1

Anglo Saxon Aristocracy - Thegns

Answer 1

• Thegns were local lords during the Anglo-Saxon era.
• Under the Normans, thegns became tenants.
• Normans inherited the land when the thegns died, not the thegn’s offspring. Thegns who disobeyed their Norman masters had their land taken away.

Question 2

How did the Normans change Earls? (2)

Answer 2

• Earls and their earldoms were reduced in importance as they became much smaller.
• As tenants-in-chief, earls were now dependent on the king.

Question 3

How did the Normans change Peasants?

Answer 3

Under the Anglo-Saxons there were a large number of ‘ceorls’ (free peasants). This group became much rarer under the Normans. Many peasants did not notice the difference between the years under Anglo-Saxon and then Norman rule.

Question 4

How did the Normans have an impact on slavery?

Answer 4

10% of Anglo-Saxons had been slaves. The Normans disagreed with slavery and freed many of them.

Question 5

What was the name given to ‘free peasants’ under Anglo-Saxon rule?

Answer 5

Ceorls

Question 6

Who were mesne lords?

Answer 6

A lord of the manor who owed homage to another lord rather than directly to the king.