The Anglo-Saxon army
I can explain the importance of housecarls and the fyrd in an Anglo-Saxon army.
The Anglo-Saxon army
I can explain the importance of housecarls and the fyrd in an Anglo-Saxon army.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Anglo-Saxons did not have a standing army.
- The elite Anglo-Saxon soldiers were known as housecarls.
- The fyrd made up the majority of an Anglo-Saxon army.
- Historians talk about a 'select fyrd' and a 'general fyrd'.
- The fyrd had advantages and disadvantages in the Battle of Hastings.
Keywords
Thegn - a thegn was a member of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy: men who held at least five hides of land from the king or another lord
Fyrd - the Anglo-Saxon fyrd was a way of calling up men from the general population into an army for a set period of time
Housecarl - a housecarl was an elite unit of the Anglo-Saxon army: a well-trained and well-equipped soldier
Mercenary - a mercenary is a professional soldier who is hired to fight in an army for money
Common misconception
The fyrd had low military value because it was made up of untrained peasants.
The general fyrd had a lower military value in some contexts (though guarding a coastline might not have been one of them), but the select fyrd meant Anglo-Saxon fyrd armies could include trained and well-equipped men as well.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The Anglo-Saxon army, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The Anglo-Saxon army, 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.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Battle of Hastings unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
King of England
Duke of Normandy
King of Norway
Exit quiz
6 Questions
men who held at least five hides of land from the king or another lord
a way of calling up men from the general population into an army
an elite unit of the Anglo-Saxon army