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Questions and Answers
Who held the highest social status in Anglo-Saxon villages?
What was the role of thralls in Anglo-Saxon society?
What social class did ceorls belong to in Anglo-Saxon England?
What term describes the amount of land needed to support a family in Anglo-Saxon England?
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In exchange for protection, what did ceorls and thralls provide to their lord?
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Which of the following was NOT a responsibility of ceorls in Anglo-Saxon society?
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What was the primary economic activity of the majority of Anglo-Saxons?
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How did towns emerge in Anglo-Saxon England?
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Which social class was considered to have the highest wergild value?
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What was the primary function of the earls in Anglo-Saxon society?
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Which of the following statements about thralls is true?
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How did the structure of the Witan support social hierarchy?
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Who were usually the individuals that Edward the Confessor would invite to the Witan?
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In the context of Anglo-Saxon society, what was the role of family regarding justice?
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What was wergild and what purpose did it serve in Anglo-Saxon society?
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Which of the following options best describes the influence of the earls on Edward's rule?
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What was the primary purpose of coins in the kingdom?
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Which metal was most commonly associated with England's key export during the period?
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What resource was England known for supplying to Europe?
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What role did fertile agricultural land play in the economy of England?
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How did lead contribute to Roman infrastructure in England?
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Which statement about fish during this period is true?
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In terms of social hierarchy, why was the production of wool significant?
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What unique aspect characterized Anglo-Saxon humor?
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Study Notes
Running the Country
- Edward the Confessor ruled England with help from the Witan, an assembly of 'wise men'.
- The Witan was made up of powerful men, including earls who ran large areas of England in return for military support.
- Edward could invite anyone to the Witan, but it was beneficial to invite the most powerful men to secure their allegiance and prevent rebellions.
- The Witan consisted of various people, including earls, thegns, bishops, and abbots.
- Witans didn't always meet in the same place or consist of the same people, depending on Edward's location and the issues needing advice.
- Witans only offered advice; Edward could still make his own decisions.
Anglo-Saxon Justice
- Anglo-Saxon justice was rooted in the family system.
- If someone was wronged, their family was expected to seek revenge.
- Everyone had a "wergild," a life-price, with thegns worth more than ceorls, who were worth more than thralls.
- If a person was murdered, the murderer's family had to pay the victim's wergild in full.
- For lesser crimes, proportions of the wergild were paid.
- Saxons held regular open-air meetings called "folk-moots" to deal with lawbreakers.
Working on the Land
- Most Anglo-Saxons lived in villages and worked on the land.
- There were ceorls (free men) and thralls (slaves).
- Each ceorl worked at least one "hide" of land (enough to support a family) in open fields surrounding villages.
- They grew barley, rye, wheat, peas, beans, and flax.
- Barley was used for beer, rye and wheat for bread, and flax for cloth.
- Sheep, pigs, hens, and cows provided wool, meat, eggs, and milk.
- Honey from bees was used for sweetening.
- Villages had a lord, usually a thegn, who provided protection.
- In return, villagers worked the lord's land and paid "food rent" (eggs, meat, peas, milk, etc.).
Working in Towns
- Some villages grew into towns.
- In AD 1000, about 10% of England's population lived in towns.
- Towns grew from markets where people bought and sold goods.
- Some towns specialized in crafts like leatherworking, weaving, or soap-making.
- Coastal towns became busy ports, with ships transporting goods within England and to Europe.
- By the 11th century, England was a prosperous country, attracting potential invaders.
England's Prosperity (11th Century)
- England was a center of trade and wealth, with leading towns like London.
- Important resources included iron for tools and weapons, silver for mining, salt for food preservation, and honey, copper, and tin for diverse uses.
- Lead was a valuable metal used for water pipes, and coins, minted in 60 locations across England, facilitated taxation.
- Fertile land in southern and eastern England allowed for abundant wheat and other crops.
- Fish was plentiful in England's surrounding seas.
- Wool was the most important industry, with English wool being sold throughout Europe.
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Description
Explore the intriguing structure of Anglo-Saxon governance under King Edward the Confessor and delve into the unique justice system rooted in family and personal responsibility. This quiz examines the roles within the Witan assembly and the concept of wergild, highlighting the societal norms of the time.
