Anglo-Saxon Hierarchy

Question 1

What were reeves?

Answer 1

• Controlled the shires at grassroots, face-to-face level
• Oversaw local administration of the king’s estates, collected food renders (taxes made up of goods instead of money)
• Kept law and order by making legal decisions

Question 2

What were thegns?

Answer 2

• The next highest ranking individuals (below ealdormen)
• Served the king and commanded the fyrd in battle under the ealdormen
• Formed a line of communication between royal court and the localities
• Could rise to become ealdormen

Question 3

What were ealdormen?

Answer 3

• Senior landowners, the nobility
• Usually from distinguished and noble families
• Responsible for raising armies from the shires, maintaining infrastructure (roads/bridges) and paying soldiers under their command
• Swore oaths of loyalty to the king