Starter quiz
- Who were the warrior class of the Anglo-Saxon time?
- thegns ✓
- earls
- aristocracy
-
- This group of peasants were not tied to the land and were ‘free’.
- ceorls ✓
- slaves
- barbarians
-
- Which one of the following statements best defines the word hierarchy?
- movement up or down between the different layers of the social structure
- a system in which people are put at various levels according to their importance ✓
- the fixed system in society in across which there was no movement
-
- What is the name for the group of people who were treated like property: they could be bought and sold?
- 'Slaves' ✓
- Who was the first person to refer to an ‘English’ people?
- an Anglo-Saxon monk ✓
- a Roman scholar
- a Norman warrior
-
- Which of the following statements best describes Anglo-Saxon England?
- A wealthy country with a large population
- A poor country with a small population
- A wealthy country with a small population ✓
-
Exit quiz
- The ______ is an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king.
- 'fyrd' ✓
- Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
- The Witan⇔a group of leading aristocrats who advised the king ✓
- The Danelaw⇔an area which had been invaded and settled by Danes (Vikings) ✓
- A shire reeve⇔a king’s legal officer who enforced laws in a shire ✓
- Which of the following statements best describes the role of an Anglo Saxon monarch?
- They had a duty to protect their people. ✓
- They had to maintain a peaceful society. ✓
- They had to uphold law and order. ✓
- They had to directly engage in trade.
- They had to personally arrest criminals.
-
- ______ means strong religious faith that is shown in the way someone lives.
- 'piety' ✓
- How was Edward the Confessor’s power limited?
- by a parliament of leading men
- by powerful earls who controlled thegns and armies ✓
- he shared his power with the other kingdoms
-
- Which of the following statements most accurately describes the role of the Witan? Select all of the statements that are correct.
- They advised the king on how to deal with threats from abroad. ✓
- They forced the king to follow their advice.
- They helped the king to tackle rebels in the kingdom. ✓
- They played a crucial say in selecting the successor to the throne. ✓
-
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- 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.
Common misconception
Anglo-Saxon monarchs had to be great warriors to be made king.
In fact some monarchs, such as Edward the Confessor, were not warriors but instead very religious men whose faith inspired others.
Keywords
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