Anglo-Saxon kingship
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the nature of kingship in Anglo-Saxon England.
Key learning points
- The king had a duty to protect the kingdom and had powers over the army, laws, landownership, and money.
- In return, the people had a duty to obey the laws and serve the king through taxes and military service.
- Edward the Confessor’s power was balanced by powerful earls who controlled thegns and armies.
- Edward had gained legitimacy through his piety and law-making.
- The Witan advised the king and had a role in selecting his successor.
Keywords
Fyrd - the fyrd was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king
Shire reeve - a shire reeve (sheriff) was a king’s legal officer who enforced laws in a shire
Piety - piety is strong religious faith that is shown in the way someone lives
Danelaw - the Danelaw was an area in Anglo-Saxon England which had previously been invaded and settled by Danes (Vikings) and had retained some laws and customs that were different from southern England
Witan - the Witan was a group of leading nobles who advised the king
Common misconception
Anglo-Saxon monarchs had to be great warriors to be made king.
In fact some monarchs, such as Edward the Confessor, were not warriors but instead very religious men whose faith inspired others.
Teacher tip
Use a historical map of Edward the Confessor's kingdom. Students identify key regions (like the Danelaw and powerful earldoms) and discuss how this influenced Edward's reign.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who were the warrior class of the Anglo-Saxon time?
Q2.This group of peasants were not tied to the land and were ‘free’.
Q3.Which one of the following statements best defines the word hierarchy?
Q4.What is the name for the group of people who were treated like property: they could be bought and sold?
Q5.Who was the first person to refer to an ‘English’ people?
Q6.Which of the following statements best describes Anglo-Saxon England?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The is an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king.
Q2.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
a group of leading aristocrats who advised the king
an area which had been invaded and settled by Danes (Vikings)
a king’s legal officer who enforced laws in a shire
Q3.Which of the following statements best describes the role of an Anglo Saxon monarch?
Q4. means strong religious faith that is shown in the way someone lives.
Q5.How was Edward the Confessor’s power limited?
Q6.Which of the following statements most accurately describes the role of the Witan? Select all of the statements that are correct.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon kingship, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon kingship, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.