Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how Anglo-Saxon England was governed.

Key Notes

• Earls were very powerful, holding economic, legal and military control over their earldoms.
• King Edward relied on the earls for military power and government.
• Earldoms provided a local government and legal system which was divided into shires, hundreds, tithings, and hides.
• Every five hides had to provide one man for the fyrd.
• Local government provided a centralised Anglo-Saxon state with justice administered in local communities.

Vocabulary To Learn

• shire: a shire was the largest unit of administration after an earldom and had its own court
• hundred: in Anglo-Saxon England, a hundred was a unit of land administration within a shire
• tithing: a tithing was a group of ten households; together they administered minor disputes in their communities
• hide: a hide was the basic unit of administration, the measurement of land which could support one household, which carried obligations of tax and military service
• burh: a burh was a fortified town within a shire where most trade would take place

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• England did not have any fortified settlements until the Normans built castles.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Anglo-Saxon society Study Guide
• Bishop Odo of Bayeux Study Guide
• Change and continuity in Norman England Study Guide
• Claimants to the throne in 1066 Study Guide
• Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin Study Guide
• Motte-and-bailey castles Study Guide
• Reasons for William's victory at the Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms Study Guide
• The Anglo-Norman Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon monarchy Study Guide
• The Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge Study Guide
• The feudal system in Norman England Study Guide
• The Harrying of the North Study Guide
• The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance Study Guide
• The Norman aristocracy Study Guide
• The Northern and East Anglian rebellions Study Guide
• The revolt of the earls in 1075 Study Guide
• The significance of Domesday Book Study Guide
• The submission of the earls in 1066 Study Guide
• The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson Study Guide
• William I and his successors Study Guide