The Anglo Saxon society was hierarchical as it was arranged in a
set order in rank and status. Everyone knew their status and
what was expected of them. A persons rank could increase if
they paid for it, such as a slave buying their freedom to become
a peasant. A Ceorl could become a Thegn if he built up a large
estate. However people could also move down in status if they
committed a crime. Anglo-Saxon law stated that some crimes
were punishable by being made a slave
The King
The King was the head of the government and took all the important decisions. His
most important tasks were to defend his country and his people from attack,
usually by commanding the army himself; military skills were therefore important,
although not essential. Pass good laws and make sure they were obeyed and
manage his earls and other nobles so they co-operated with his decisions and
helped him run the country effectively. The King was the only person with the
power to settle disputes between the nobles. The best Kings used a combination of
rewarding the nobles with land and wealth
Powers of the King
Law Making
Only the King had the power to
make new laws, and everyone
had to obey them
Due to half the country being
Anglo-Danish and operating under the
Danelaw, the King gave these parts
some independence; not interrupting
its traditions and customs
Lamdownership
The king could grant land to
loyal followers, or take it
away as punishment
Money
The king controlled the minting
and distribution of coins
Fyrd
The king could raise the Fyrd army
and fleet
Religion
The King was supposedly chosen by God to
lead the people
Taxation
The King decided when a tax was
to be paid and how much it would
be
The Witan
When Kings needed advice on important advice on issues they called a meeting known as
the Witangemot , or Witan - an Aglo-Saxon word meaning 'meeting of wise men'. The
meetings werent regular and only took place when the King decided to hold a meeting with
only those who he summoned could attend.