Anglo - Saxons (word bank)

aristocracy

Highest class in a society

Baron

Norman Tenants-in-chief and governors within former earldoms, which William I split into smaller areas

Burh

A fortified town within a shire where administration and trading took place

Centralised Power

Describes a governing system in which decision making is controlled by the top

Chivalry

A moral code inspired by Christian Teachings, demanding honesty, loyalty, and brave in battle

Clergy

compromises people who are ordained for religious duties, such as priests and bishops

ceorl

sometimes called ‘freemen’. They had to do some work for their local lord, including fighting, but could work for another lord as well.

diocese

Each diocese was a district under the care of a bishop

Domesday Book

A complete record of property ownership across England, written in 1086

earldom

A large area of land, divided into shires and hundreds, and controlled by an Earl

Earls

Earls were men of great power and influence who advised the king and made sure the king’s laws were enforced. Each earl controlled a large area of land (called an earldom) and was responsible for its local government systems (known as the shires and the hundreds).

embassy

an official visit to another country

exiled