The burghal hideage

Question 1

What is the burghal hideage?

Answer 1

• A document probably dating to the reign of Edward the Elder, but potentially partially from Alfred’s reign
• It is the first major record of an administrative system in England
• It lists 33 burhs and their size (measured in hides) - these sizes give an idea of how many men a burh needed for defence - one hide = one soldier - provides a rough indication of population sizes

Question 2

What are the differences between part A and part B of the document?

Answer 2

• A seems to have an earlier date of composition as it does not include Worcester and Warwick, burhs built during Edward’s reign, and therefore gives best impression of Alfred’s original system - however, version A is still not from Alfred’s time itself, as it also includes both Oxford and Buckingham, which are not fully under the control of Wessex until 911

Question 3

What evidence corroborates the burghal hideage?

Answer 3

Physical and archaeological evidence = very useful

Question 4

How does the order the burghal hideage is listed indicate a connected, kingdom-wide system?

Answer 4

Listed in roughly a clockwise fashion across Wessex border to Southwark by London - notable that this is done as a whole rather than shire by shire