1. What were burhs and villages and how did they work?
Starter: Copy and complete the cloze passage into your books! Use p.17 to help.
In the Anglo-Saxon system, the country was divided up into 5 e___________. Within each of these, the land was divided up into s___________. These s____________ had their own courts for trying cases and giving punishments. They also had a s_______ r_________ who acted as the king’s representative. Each shire had some b________, which were like towns surrounded by large gates. Most people lived within _____ or _____ miles from these, so they could reach safety if attacked by V_______. These were often linked by r_____ so that troops could move between them easily.

4. The Church in England
Bishops were often rich, important people – they served on the Witan.
They hated churches set up by thegns, as they had no control over the appointment of priests in these churches. This caused a lot of tension between the church and the monarchy.
Priests were normal people – they were not well educated, had small land holdings and were usually married.
The Church had the power of excommunication – if anyone rebelled against the king they could banish them from the church.

5. The Church and the Crown
Religion and the monarchy were often very close.
The King was an agent of God, so had to act it.
He had to regularly attend church, and act in a way that reflected the values of the Christian doctrine.
The church helped support the king, especially during rebellions.
King Edward was such a devout Christian that he is rumoured to have taken a vow of celibacy.

6. It was powerful, because people genuinely believed in afterlife!
Religion in Anglo-Saxon England was very important to people’s everyday lives.
It was powerful, because people genuinely believed in afterlife!
In Church they could patriciate in religious activities to ensure entry to heaven!
Fun fact!
England also had monasteries and nunneries where monks and nuns lived and worshipped. Although numbers dwindled, monk were a part of the local communities!

7. Learning Tasks
Read the information on p.17 and 18. Using coloured card and pens, create flashcards on the following areas:
Villages
Trading
The Church

8. Trading
The King demanded that trade only occur within burhs so it could be taxed and controlled.
By 1060, York and London were the biggest cities of 10,000 people.
Towns would grow due to trading links. York was important because it had trading links with Denmark. London had links with Germany, France, Normandy and Flanders.

9. Villages
Villages were likely to be isolated and scattered across the countryside.
Houses would be made of wood and thatched with straw. Many people would live inside.
Thegns would live in villages too – in large manor houses fortified against attack. They would have churches on their estates.