Year 10 - History
The Anglo-Saxon army
Battle of Hastings
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the historical environment, choosing the relevant site study to complement their understanding of Norman England.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the importance of housecarls and the fyrd in an Anglo-Saxon army.
Key Notes
- The Anglo-Saxons did not have a standing army.
- The elite Anglo-Saxon soldiers were known as housecarls.
- The fyrd made up the majority of an Anglo-Saxon army.
- Historians talk about a 'select fyrd' and a 'general fyrd'.
- The fyrd had advantages and disadvantages in the Battle of Hastings.
Vocabulary To Learn
- thegn: a thegn was a member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy: men who held at least five hides of land from the king or another lord
- fyrd: the Anglo-Saxon fyrd was a way of calling up men from the general population into an army for a set period of time
- housecarl: a housecarl was an elite unit of the Anglo-Saxon army: a well-trained and well-equipped soldier
- mercenary: a mercenary is a professional soldier who is hired to fight in an army for money
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The fyrd had low military value because it was made up of untrained peasants.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The Anglo-Saxons did not have a standing army. The elite Anglo-Saxon soldiers were known as housecarls.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'thegn'
a thegn was a member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy: men who held at least five hides of land from the king or another lord.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The fyrd had low military value because it was made up of untrained peasants. Correction: The general fyrd had a lower military value in some contexts (though guarding a coastline might not have been one of them), but the select fyrd meant Anglo-Saxon fyrd armies could include trained and well-equipped men as well.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Anglo-Saxon preparations for invasion in 1066 Study Guide
- Luck and the Battle of Hastings Study Guide
- Norman England - historical context themes Study Guide
- Norman England - sources and historical context Study Guide
- Norman preparations for invasion in 1066 Study Guide
- Norman weapons, armour and tactics Study Guide
- Structuring your answer to the historic environment question Study Guide
- The location of the Battle of Hastings Study Guide
- The Norman army Study Guide
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