HIST 236 LS 236 LECTURE #2 Introduction To The Anglo-Saxons

Anglo-Saxon Society

A societal structure based on leadership of a strong king, with no automatic hereditary right to rule.

Witan

Council of wise men who chose the most suitable successor from the ruling house.

Thegn

The upper class of Saxon society, elite warriors who managed estates and held hereditary titles.

Ceorl

The peasant class in Anglo-Saxon society, ranging from independent farmers to those renting land.

Weregild

Literally 'man price'; compensation paid for murder or injury based on social status.

Trial by Ordeal

A judicial practice where the accused undergoes a physical test to determine guilt or innocence.

Royal laws

One of the divisions of Anglo-Saxon law that included regulations set by the king.

Hundred Court

Local court held every four weeks, presided over by the Shire-reeve.

Kindred

The extended family network in Saxon society; responsible for protecting members and settling disputes.

Alfred the Great

King of Wessex who defended against Norse invaders and recognized as a significant ruler in Anglo-Saxon England.

Danelaw

The term for the area of England under Norse control, established during their settlements.

The Cold Water Ordeal

A trial by ordeal where an accused person was tossed into water; floating indicated guilt.

Anglo-Saxon Law

The legal system of the Anglo-Saxons, characterized by customary laws with little Roman influence.

Serfs

Individuals tied to the land they worked, often seen as the lowest class in Anglo-Saxon society.

407 CE

Roman troops abandon Britain in order to defend Rhine

When did large-scale Saxon raid/migrations begin?

410 CE

When did permanent German settlements begin?

449 CE

When did Britons defeat Anglo-Saxons of Sussex at Mount Badon ?

516 CE under King Arthur

England

Land of the Angles

Sussex

Land of the Saxons

Essex

Land of the East Saxons

Middlesex

Land of the Middle Saxons

When was the Irish monastery established?

563 CE

Who was the last Anglo-Saxon realm to convert to Christianity?

The Isle of Wight (Britain is now drawn into the realm of Christian Europe)

When and where was the first Norse raid?

793; Lindisfarme Monastery

What occurred during 865-867

Norse great army raids - where they captured York which opened the doors for large Norse migration into Britain.

What year was the Norse halted?

871 by Aethelred and Alfred

What was Danelaw?

The Northern half of Britain in 876 after Norse migration.

When did King Alfred die?

899 CE

King Alfred the…

GREAT

Who was king Alfred the Great succeeded by?

Edward the Elder, his son.

When did the unification of Anglo-Saxon England take place?

959 by King Edgar the Peaceful!

King Canute (1016-1043)

Danish ruler who conquered England and added it to his Northern Sea Empire (Denmark + Norway)

Who was crowned after King Canute’s death?

Edward the Confessor was the next notable king.

When did Edward the Confessor die?

1066 without an heir

Who is Harold Godwinsson? Where did he die?

The last Anglo-Saxon King - an earl who was crowned after Edward the confessor. He defeated the Norse but was killed by King WIlliam of Normandy; Battle of Hastings

When did Normans become Masters of Britain?

1066

What was the King’s primary role?

Lead the army in battle

Enforce the Law

Dispense Justice

Collect taxes

Holds “sword of justice” in court

Thegn

upper-class of Saxons and elite warriors -

• originated as the king’s bodyguard

• rewarded with gifts of lands and titles

• title was hereditary

• it was a warrior wealthy enough to own at least 5 ““hides” of land

fyrd

militia

Thegn’s son

May also be thegns (even without owning 5 hides of land)

Thegns rented land to peasants therefore…

becoming their lords

ceorls

peasants who made up the working class. a wealthy ceorl could become a thegn.

What were the classes of ceorl?

Geneatas, Kotsetla & Gebur

Who was at the bottom of the social hierarchy?

Serfs and Bondsmen

All cerol are eligible for duty in the militia. True or False?

True

Who were serfs or bondsmen?

Prisoners of war, could be bought/sold as slaves, tired to lord’s land, severe punishment for escaping

Kindred

Inlcuded his family and each of his parent’s relations

Who collected weregild?

Kindred. 1/3 to mom. 2/3 to dad.

What would kindred of a slayer do?

Pay weregild or disown the slayer (forcing him to be an outlaw)

What happens if weregild is not paid?

Blood feuds and violent revenge

What happened to Christian nun weregild?

Paid to the monastery. If not, it would be forwarded to the King to deal with appropriately.

Which law is the most barbaric”?

Anglo-Saxon

Was Anglo-Saxon law inclusive?

No. Britons were marginalised.

What was the most common dialect in 9th century?

Wessex

What were the three functions?

LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL

LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION

• carried out by the King and Witan

• new codes regulary added (updates, additions etc)

• copies made for earls + bishop and reeves

• differences based on location

EXEC FUNCTION

• no police (relied on kin)

• easy for criminals to hide (become outlaws)

• could be killed on sight

process of exec function

brought infront of the shire reeve who could direct cases to shire court or King or choose not to go forward at all.

SHIRE STRUCTURE

SHIRE - HUNDRED(100 men) - 10 tithingmen- TITHINGS (10 freemen)

Hundredman posse

Apprehend anyone who broke king’s peace

posse comitatus

force of the county

JUDICIAL FUNCTION

Charges usually heard by the hundred court (held every four weeks)

What was above the hundred court?

Shire court

Process of the Judicial?

• Both parties swear they are acting in good faith

• If accused can bring forward the number fo witnesses required - they would be acquitted.

defendant oath

"By the Lord, I am guiltless both
of deed and instigation of the crime with which Nof deed and instigation of the crime with which N
charges me"charges me

oath-helper oath

"By
the Lord, the oath is pure and not false that M swore“the Lord, the oath is pure and not false that M swore“

not oathworthy

“caught in the act” accuser needs to bring witnesses

cold water ordeal

after drinking holy water he is bound and thrown into water. floaters are guilty

hot iron ordeal

must carry red-hot iron a certain distance - if bandaged wound festers, GUILTY

boiling water ordeal

plunged his hand into a cauldron of boiling water to find a stone - if bandaged wound festers, GUILTY

What was punishment?

fine, mutilation and death

WEREGILD AMOUNTS

THEGN - 300

CEORL - 100

BRITISH(ROMANS) - ½ of a Saxon counterpart

SLAVE - 0/ price of work

Most serious crimes (WART)

• treachery to the king,

• murder or robbery committed in public,

• arson, and

• witchcraft