Anglo-Saxon Society Flashcards
(8 cards)
What did an Anglo-Saxon Earl do?
Ruled Earldoms, large part of country. Collected tax, oversaw
justice, maintained army for the King.
How did local government work?
Earldoms divided into Shires. Shires divided into Hundreds.
Hundreds into Tithings. Tithings into Hides. Shire Reeves
collected the King’s taxes and fines.
How did Anglo-Saxon law work?
King made law. Offences punished harshly.
Collective responsibility – if village didn’t find criminal, paid fine.
How wealthy was the Anglo-Saxon economy?
Made money from wool, traded with the rest of Europe.
Farming well-organised, mills made grain into flour.
Who was who in the Anglo-Saxon social system?
King – makes law, gives out land.
Earls – rule land for king, provide tax and army.
Thegns – local lords under Earls.
Peasants – farmed.
Slaves – 10%, could be bought & sold
Who lived in a town or village?
10% in towns. Main burh town in each shire, fortified and centre of trade.
90% in villages, farming, isolated.
How much influence did the
Church have?
Religion very important. Bishops rich and powerful, serve on the Witan.
Priests uneducated. Some married, which was against Church rules.
What was the wergild?
Money paid to a murder victim’s family by the criminal’s family, to prevent a “blood feud” of revenge murders.
