an earl was a leading member of both Anglo-Saxon and Norman aristocracy, ruling an earldom on behalf of the king

a thegn was a lower member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy; they were warrior lords holding smaller areas of land than an earl

the aristocracy is a class of people who hold high social rank, often inheriting their status and wealth

a hierarchy is a system in which people are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance

Anglo-Saxon society

History

The Anglo-Saxon monarchy

Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England

The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church

Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin

The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson

Claimants to the throne in 1066

The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Hastings

Reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings

The submission of the earls in 1066

Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms

Motte-and-bailey castles

The Northern and East Anglian rebellions

The Harrying of the North

The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance

The revolt of the earls in 1075

The feudal system in Norman England

The Anglo-Norman Church

Change and continuity in Norman England

The significance of Domesday Book

The Norman aristocracy

Bishop Odo of Bayeux

William I and his successors

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

British depth study: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

leading member of aristocracy, ruling an earldom on behalf of the king

a lower member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy

a class of people who hold high social rank

This word is a system in which people are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance.


Select two members of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy.


It was a fixed system and people always stayed at the same level in society.

A hard-working and lucky peasant could gain land and climb up the hierarchy.

 Through the loss of land, earls could drop down to the level of a thegn.

A free peasant could sell themselves into slavery.

Which statements best describes the movement within the Anglo Saxon hierarchical system?

Which group made up the greatest percentage of the Anglo Saxon population?

What is the name of an important source for the study of the Battle of Hastings, made as an embroidery on linen?

Who led the Normans when they invaded Britain in 1066?

people outside the Roman Empire who were perceived as uncivilised

people outside the Roman Empire who were perceived as civilised

people outside the Roman Empire who were perceived as dangerous

Which of the statements below provides the best definition of a barbarian, as seen by the Romans?

when a country enters another with the intention of occupying it

a large area often made up of different territories and peoples

 the ability to influence, control, or direct the behaviour of people 

 Match the words with their definitions. 


the process of moving from one place to another with the intention to settle 

the process of moving across international borders

Which statement below is the best definition of migration?

a temporary movement of people to a new place

the process of establishing a community in a new location.

the process of moving from one place to another

Which statement below is the best definition of settlement?

Anglo-Saxon society

Lesson outcome