1. How well structured was the Anglo-Saxon kingdom?
In this lesson, we will:
Describe how Anglo-Saxon villages were organised and made money.
Explain why Edward’s Kingdom was so advanced by
Starter challenge: Look at the image to the right. It is from the Anglo-Saxon period.
What do you think is happening?
Using your knowledge from last lesson; why might this be happening?

2. Was England an advanced kingdom?
Earldoms was divided into shires – they had courts, provided troops for the fyrd etc.
At the centre of each shire there was a burh (fortified town). Burhs had strong walls which had to be maintained by the thegn who lived there.
Each shire had a sheriff who worked for the king, they would carry out various tasks like collecting tax, fines and maintaining the fyrd.
It had an army (fyrd). Every man had to fight for upto 40 days.
Burhs were also trading hubs. Trade had to take place here so tax could be paid to the sheriff.

4. Learning Task One Green groups
“Edward the Confessor was a weak, ineffective king” How far do you agree? You may wish to consider both sides of this argument, either in paragraph or table format.
All groups
For each of the following key words, describe two key features of it:
Shire
Burh
Sheriff
Fyrd
Trading
Orange group
Blue groups
Literacy challenge! Try to write a short paragraph using as many of these 5 key words as possible. It must make sense as a paragraph, it cannot just be another definition of what they mean!

5. Key term
Definition
Shire
Had it’s own court
Was where the sheriff would be
Had it’s own burh
Provided troops for the fyrd
Burh
Surrounded by strong, wooden walls
Thegn would live here
Everyone had to share responsibility for maintaining defences
Shire reeve/sheriff would probably be based in the burh
Sheriff
Also known as “shire reeve”
King’s deputy in charge of making sure the king’s law was being carried out.
Collect tax from king’s land
Collect fines
Make sure men were joining the fyrd
Make sure the roads and defences were being maintained
Fyrd
Every man had to serve 40 days military service
Select fyrd made up of thegns who were well equipped.
General fyrd made up of men who would fight in their local area (peasants)
Trading
Often took place in burhs or in cities.
York traded with Denmark, Bristol with Scandinavia and Ireland.
London traded with Germany, France, Normandy and Flanders.
Wine, spices, cloth, dyes, pottery and wool would all be traded.

6. How was the Church structured in England?
The Church was quite poorly organised in England .
Most churches were controlled by bishops, who were very rich and important. They often served on the Witan and advised the king.
However, some churches were set up by thegns on their own land. This caused a lot of tension between the Church and thegns.
Priests were not well educated, and often held a small amount of land.
The Church was very powerful, as people were very religious.
By teaching that people would not enter heaven unless they followed the Church, it had a lot of control over people.
The Witan were the king’s advisors. They were made up of earls, thegns, bishops and archbishops!

8. How important was the Church to the running of the country?
Religion and the monarchy were very close.
The Archbishop of Canterbury crowned the King, which made the King an agent of God.
The King was expected to attend church regularly, and reflect Christian values in his life.
During times of rebellion, the Church could support the king (e.g. raising armies, excommunicating rebels)
King Edward the Confessor spent much of his time devoted to religion. He would spend hours reading he bible, copying it out and praying.

9. Learning Task Two
Green groups
You must have three reasons (one reason per paragraph)
You must explain clearly how each factor helped or benefitted England. Perhaps explain the impact?
You must try to use examples.
You must try to use precise knowledge
Explain why Edward’s Kingdom was so advanced by 1066 (12 marks)
You may use the following in your answer:
Trading
The Church in England
You must also use information from your own knowledge.
Orange group
Write a small paragraph for each bullet point.
You need a third reason from your own knowledge
What was it? How would it help make the kingdom strong?
You need to try and use examples when you can.
Blue groups
Write a small paragraph for each bullet point.
What was it?
How would it help make the kingdom strong?
You don’t need to put examples in, but if you want to you can!