Men of high social ranking, possibly of royal birth, who were subordinate to the King.
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What is a thegn?
A hihgly ranked individual who aspired to be a reeve or ealdormen. Owned a lot of land and were lords over their own estates and were key to military organisation.
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What is a fyrd?
The reserved army made up of un-trained farmers and peasants.
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Why was Wessex difficult to defend before 871?
Because of its geographical position.
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What did the death of Aethelred in 871 mean for Alfred?
He was left to govern the entire kingdom to himself, which would have been difficult for one person.
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What did Alfred first focus on when reorganizing the military?
The recruitment and organisation of his military forces.
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By 871, what were the three parts Alfred divided the Wessex soldiery into?
The national fyrd, fyrds belonging to shires and lead by ealdormen, and war-bands lead by individual thegns.
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What was the problem with complicated recruitment procedures for fyrds?
It meant it took a long time for them to mobilize.
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What did fyrds do that benefited the kingdom in the short term but no the long term?
Strike deals with opponents. Example of this was when Alfred discovered ealdormen of north Wiltshire made peace with Vikings when he was escaping and trying to regroup.
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Why was it a problem that fyrds were commanded by thegns?
It meant they showed more loyalty to their ealdormen than to the King.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is a thegn?
Back
A hihgly ranked individual who aspired to be a reeve or ealdormen. Owned a lot of land and were lords over their own estates and were key to military organisation.
Card 3
Front
What is a fyrd?
Back
Card 4
Front
Why was Wessex difficult to defend before 871?
Back
Card 5
Front
What did the death of Aethelred in 871 mean for Alfred?
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