d and of the
mast. The Archbishop Wulfred and all the councilors determined
that the bishop and the community might declare on oath that it
was so appointed in AEthelbald's time and that they were not
trying to obtain more, and the bishop immediately gave security to
Earl Eadwulf to furnish the oath before all the councilors, and it
was produced in 30 days at the bishop's see at Worcester. At that
time Hama was the reeve in charge of the pigherds at Sinton, and
he rode until he reached Worcester, and watched and observed the
oath, as Earl Eadwulf bade him, but did not challenge it.
Here are the names and designations of those who were assembled at
the council meeting ..."
- - - Chapter 3 - - -
- The Times: 900-1066 -
There were many large landholders such as the King, earls, and
bishops. Earls were noblemen by birth, and often relatives of the
King. They were his army commanders and the highest civil
officials, each responsible for a shire. A breach of the public
peace of an earl would occasion a fine. Lower in social status
were freemen: sokemen, and then, in decreasing order, villani
[villeins], bordarii, and cottarii. The servi were the slaves.
Probably all who were not slaves were freemen.
Kings typically granted land in exchange for services of military
duties, maintaining fortresses, and repairing bridges. Less common
services required by landlords include equipping a guard ship and
guarding the coast, guarding the lord, military watch, maintaining
the deer fence at the King's residence, alms giving, and church
dues. Since this land was granted in return for service, there
were limitations on its heritability and often an heir had to pay
a heriot to the landlord to obtain the land. A heriot was
originally the armor of a man killed, which went to the King. The
heriot of a thegn who had soken came to be about 80s.; of a kings'
thegn about four lances, two coats of mail, two swords, and 125s.;
of an earl about eight horses, four saddled and four unsaddled,
eight lances, four coats of mail, four swords, and 500s.
There were several thousand thegns, rich and poor, who held land
directly of the King. Some thegns had soken or jurisdiction over
their own lands and others did not. Free farmers who had sought
protection from thegns in time of war now took them as their
lords. A freeman could chose his lord, following him in war and
working his lan
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