The Monarchy & Government

Anglo-Saxon Government

The Anglo-Saxon system of government was different from the Norman system that replaced it. It is important to understand the key features of both systems.

The King

The king sat at the top of the social ladder and held absolute power. His powers included:
- Making new laws.
- Controlling the minting of new coins (creation of coins) and the circulation of these coins.
- Making people pay taxes.
- Executing God’s will on earth.
- Controlling land. In Anglo-Saxon times, the king controlled land, which he could give to his followers or take away from those who he felt had wronged him (or that he wanted to weaken).
- Raising the fleet and the army - known as the fyrd. This was a kind of casual militia raised when it was needed.

Earls

Earls were the most senior nobles in England. The king gave them a significant amount of power.
- They governed large areas of land and collected taxes in their regions. They could keep a third of the taxes that they collected for themselves.
- They were in charge of enforcing law, crime and keeping their regions in order. The Earls had the power to judge who was guilty or not guilty of particular crimes.
- Earls were also generals and led the thegns (local lords) in wars against the king (or England)'s enemies.

The Witan

The Witan was the king’s council. It advised him on matters of state.
The Witan advised the king but did not limit his power. He could ignore it if he wanted to.
- The king appointed those on the council.

1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66

1.1Anglo-Saxon Society

1.1.1The Monarchy & Government

1.1.2Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

1.1.3The Legal System

1.1.4Local Government

1.1.5The Economy & Social Structure

1.1.6Towns

1.1.7The Church

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.9Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon Society

1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis

1.2.1The House of Godwin

1.2.2Harold Godwinson's Succession

1.2.3The Rebellion Against Tostig

1.2.4Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Edward the Confessor

1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne

1.3.1William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar

1.3.2The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson

1.3.3The Battles of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge

1.3.4Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon & Norman England

1.4The Norman Invasion

1.4.1The Battle of Hastings

1.4.2Reasons for William's Victory

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rival Claimants for the Throne

2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87

2.1Establishing Control

2.1.1The Submission of the Earls

2.1.2Getting Control of England

2.1.3Reasons for Building Castles

2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance

2.2.1The Revolts against William

2.2.2End of Topic Test - William I in Power

2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087

2.3.1Harrying of the North, 1069-70

2.3.2Changes in Land Ownership 1066-1087

2.3.3William I Maintains Royal Power

2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075

2.4.1The Revolt - 1075

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Legacy of Resistance

2.4.3Grade 9 - Legacy of Resistance

3Norman England, 1066-88

3.1The Feudal System & the Church

3.1.1The Norman Feudal Hierarchy

3.1.2The Nature of Feudalism & Forfeiture

3.1.3The Role of the Church in England

3.1.4The Extent of Change to Anglo-Saxon Society

3.1.5End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

3.2Norman Government

3.2.1Norman Government - Regents

3.2.2The Sheriff & the Forest

3.2.3The Domesday Book

3.3The Norman Aristocracy

3.3.1Aristocratic Culture & Language

3.3.2Bishop Odo

3.4William I & His Sons

3.4.1William I

3.4.2William's Death & the Succession

3.4.3End of Topic Test - Norman Government

3.4.4Grade 9 - Norman Government

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