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The Strengths of Anglo-Saxon England under Edward the Confessor (common…
The Strengths of Anglo-Saxon England under Edward the Confessor (common for a source qu as well)
Economy
System of pounds, shillings and pence under pinned the strength. Allowed for trade, 2/3 pennies found were not in their local mint. Envy of Western Europe and was still in use till 1970s
System of local government allowed for the King to tap into England's wealth via taxes. Typically $6000 a year but at times of war able to raise much more during crisis $100,000 to pay off Danish invasions between 990 and 1010
Trade with European countries such as Normandy and Scandinavia for luxuries such as pottery and wine, shows off immense wealth of England however attracts threat
Switch to urbanisation, 10% now lived in towns (v. large compared to previously) backbone still farming but moving onto industrialisation such as the 6,000 watermills
Centralised monarchy / Government
Commander of the army and the Church, only one who could mint and tax and the sole decision maker of laws
Centralisation not the same as its European neighbours, France selection of Dukes had large amounts of power,
System of Earldoms - Shires - Hundreds - Vilis Meant that King could be in control of all of England whilst all under him owed their power to him
Although some powerful nobles able to gain immense power most notably the Godwins
Centralisation led to issues when Edward unable to produce an heir, strengths turned into weaknesses as they attracted invaders
Unable to gain authority over the North, Ed never visited
Legal system
Beginnings of a nationwide system, Edward seen as a giver of Justice
Kings court - Edward handled the most serious cases such as murder and treason, Concept of King's Peace it was the King's duty to keep his people of safe of these offences
Shire courts - twice a year, cases of theft and violence, read out royal writs, important events and attended by all the notable families
Hundred's courts - local land disputes and issues of law and order, most people's main experience of legality
Judgement of God called upon in criminal cases - Trial by holy water, sinner if floated as the holy water wouldn't accept. Trial by hot iron, hands burnt by a hot iron and if infected was a sinner
However, not uniform everywhere, some regions had own customs and traditions mainly in the North such as the remanence of Danelaw
Godwins
Help
Northumbrian uprising 1065 - Edward wanted a civil war as were getting closer to the South (ransacked Lincoln) however Harold Godwinson overruled him (too much power?) and made the tough decision to exile his own brother and made Morcar an elected Earl. However Tostig's fault for being a tyranical ruler?
Welsh war 1063 - Prince Gruffyd raids on Hereford 1055-63, Harold Godwinson launches full scale invasion 1063, blockades Welsh coast and takes the South whilst Tostig takes the North, HG given Gruffyd's head
Earl Godwin Kingmaker in 1042, allowed for a smooth transition into King and secured his position for him, 1045 marries his daughter Edith to keep control over Ed?
Hinder
Implicated in Alfred's (Edward's bro) murder, 1051 Godwin clan exiled after Edward had brought Norman backing in and Queen Edith sent to a nunnery, only would forgive them when Alfred was restored to life, 1052 Godwin clan land an army in London Edward forced to banish Norman faction and restore Godwins (shows their power)
Edward a puppet ruler for the Godwins? Earl Godwin made him King, assets larger $7000 to $5000 previously exiled but fought way back in, HG able to overrule Ed easily during Northumbrian uprising