anglo saxon society Flashcards
what was the order of the social hierarchy
slaves
peasants
thegns
earls
king
how would someone become a thegn
own 5 hides of land and pay tax on it
how would someone become an earl
build up their land from a thegn and influence with the king
what were ceorls
a group of peasants who could work for different lords if they wanted to
what was an earldom
a large area of land the size of multiple counties today, run by an earl
shire?
land run by a thegn that had a town centre
what were shire reeves
sheriffs that carried out kings duties
what was shire reeves jobs
collect land tax
collect fines
ensuring men for the fyrd
what was the select fyrd
men from anywhere fighting for the king, lasted 40 days
general fyrd?
men to fight whi didnt travel outside their local area, local protection
what was a blood feud
if a family was attacked the rest of the family would find the person responsible and punish them
what role did the church have at this time
local priests not well educated and had been left behind
