Year 10 - History
Anglo-Saxon kingship
British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 the nature of kingship in Anglo-Saxon England.
Key Notes
- The king had a duty to protect the kingdom and had powers over the army, laws, landownership, and money.
- In return, the people had a duty to obey the laws and serve the king through taxes and military service.
- Edward the Confessor's power was balanced by powerful earls who controlled thegns and armies.
- Edward had gained legitimacy through his piety and law-making.
- The Witan advised the king and had a role in selecting his successor.
Vocabulary To Learn
- fyrd: the fyrd was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king
- shire reeve: a shire reeve (sheriff) was a king's legal officer who enforced laws in a shire
- piety: piety is strong religious faith that is shown in the way someone lives
- Danelaw: the Danelaw was an area in Anglo-Saxon England which had previously been invaded and settled by Danes (Vikings) and had retained some laws and customs that were different from southern England
- Witan: the Witan was a group of leading nobles who advised the king
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Anglo-Saxon monarchs had to be great warriors to be made king.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The king had a duty to protect the kingdom and had powers over the army, laws, landownership, and money. In return, the people had a duty to obey the laws and serve the king through taxes and military service.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'fyrd'
the fyrd was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Anglo-Saxon monarchs had to be great warriors to be made king. Correction: In fact some monarchs, such as Edward the Confessor, were not warriors but instead very religious men whose faith inspired others.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Battle of Hastings Study Guide
- Battle of Stamford Bridge Study Guide
- Changing laws in Norman England: Forest law Study Guide
- Continuity and change in Norman government Study Guide
- Daily life in Norman England Study Guide
- Domesday Book Study Guide
- Edward the Confessor, the Godwins and William of Normandy Study Guide
- Edward the Confessor's death and the claimants to the throne Study Guide
- Establishing control: motte-and-bailey castles Study Guide
- Establishing control: new earls and earldoms Study Guide
- Justice and the legal system in Norman England Study Guide
- Key figures in the government of Norman England Study Guide
- Land and inheritance in Norman England Study Guide
- Lanfranc's reforms Study Guide
- Life in towns in Norman England Study Guide
- Life in villages in Norman England Study Guide
- Norman reforms of English monasticism Study Guide
- Reasons for William's victory in 1066 Study Guide
- Revolts against William I, 1067-1075 Study Guide
- The Anglo-Saxon Church Study Guide
- The built environment of Norman England Study Guide
- The Harrying of the North, 1069-70 Study Guide
- The king and the Church in Norman England Study Guide
- The Norman Church Study Guide
- The Norman feudal system Study Guide
- The Reform Papacy Study Guide
- The submission of London in 1066 Study Guide
- William's consolidation of power Study Guide
- Work and diet in Norman England Study Guide
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