Anglo Saxon Social Organization

Jong JungJeffrey Schwing

The Beginning

The start of the Anglo Saxons begins after the fall of the Roman Empire. They were the tribes that invaded the south and Southeast of England. They are credited with the founding of the English culture.

Royalty

• At the top of the social system was the royal house. This consisted of the king and princes. They had special privileges and responsibilities which included military service and command in the field.

Eoldermen

• The ruling nobility• The eolderman was the king's viceroy in a

shire, responsible for administration and justice, for calling out the fyrd and leading its forces in the field.

Ðegn (Thane)

• Ðegn were primarily warriors whose duty was to carry out the "common burdens" of service in the fyrd, and overseeing fortress work and bridge building.

Ceorls

• Freemen that were farmers and independent landed householders who formed the mainstay of the Saxon kingdom, based as it was on a rural economy.

• There were four main classes of Ceorl.– Geneatas– Kotsetla– Gebur– Ðeow

Geneates

• The duty of the geneates varied depending on what was determined for the estate.

• He was to do whatever he was directed to do by the people above him.

Kotselta

• These people did not have to pay a ground rent.

• They still could not live on the land unless they worked certain days during the harvest.

Gebur

• This social group was completely dependent upon the higher class.

• Life dominated by the work owed to lord or baron.

• This group of people were slaves to the landlord and had to constantly work in order to stay on the land.

Ðeow

English Channel

Ireland

Map of Anglo Saxon Tribes

Works Cited

• Clip Art on Microsoft PowerPoint• Regia.org• Google Image searches for

– Anglo Saxon Flag– Anglo Saxon King– Baron Crest– Warrior– Map of Anglo Saxon Tribes