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In later Anglo-Saxon England, a thegn held the third rank in lay society, positioned below the king and ealdormen.
Answer: True
The source material explicitly states that in later Anglo-Saxon England, a thegn occupied the third rank in lay society, situated below the king and ealdormen, and was typically a substantial landowner.
'An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary' defined a thegn primarily as a farmer who owned five hides of land.
Answer: False
The source indicates that 'An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary' defined a thegn primarily as 'one engaged in a king's or a queen's service,' rather than solely as a farmer owning five hides of land. While land ownership was a factor in attaining thegnhood, it was not the primary definition provided by the dictionary.
The three distinct ranks within the thegnly class were ealdormen, king's thegns, and earls.
Answer: False
The source identifies the three distinct ranks within the thegnly class as ealdormen, king's thegns, and median thegns. Earls are a related but distinct higher rank, often evolving from ealdormen.
King's thegns served exclusively the king, while median thegns owed service to other thegns.
Answer: True
King's thegns were distinguished by their direct service to the king, whereas median thegns held a subordinate position, owing service to other thegns.
Historian David Carpenter described thegns as 'the country gentry of Anglo-Saxon England'.
Answer: True
Historian David Carpenter characterized thegns as 'the country gentry of Anglo-Saxon England,' highlighting their significant role in provincial administration and society.
What was the primary definition of a 'thegn' in later Anglo-Saxon England according to the provided text?
Answer: An aristocrat holding the third rank in lay society, typically a substantial landowner.
The text defines a thegn in later Anglo-Saxon England as an aristocrat holding the third rank in lay society, positioned below the king and ealdormen, and generally being a substantial landowner.
Which of the following was NOT one of the three distinct ranks within the thegnly class mentioned in the source?
Answer: Earls
The source identifies the three distinct ranks within the thegnly class as ealdormen, king's thegns, and median thegns. Earls are a related but distinct higher rank.
What was the primary difference in service between a king's thegn and a median thegn?
Answer: King's thegns served exclusively the king, while median thegns owed service to other thegns.
King's thegns were distinguished by their direct service to the king, whereas median thegns held a subordinate position, owing service to other thegns.
Historian David Carpenter characterized thegns primarily as:
Answer: The country gentry
Historian David Carpenter described thegns as 'the country gentry of Anglo-Saxon England,' highlighting their role in provincial society and governance.
What was the estimated number of thegns in England just before the Norman Conquest in 1066?
Answer: Approximately 5,000
It is estimated that there were approximately 5,000 thegns in England immediately prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The term 'thanage' refers to the system of land tenure by which lands were held by a thegn and denotes the rank itself.
Answer: True
The provided text defines 'thanage' as encompassing both the system of land tenure associated with a thegn and the rank itself, noting its approximate equivalence to a modern barony.
The term 'thegn' appeared frequently in Anglo-Saxon laws before the reign of King Æthelstan.
Answer: False
The term 'thegn' appeared only once in Anglo-Saxon laws prior to King Æthelstan's reign (924-939), although its usage in charters was more common during that period.
H. M. Chadwick suggested that the sense of subordination was inherent in the word 'thegn' from its earliest times.
Answer: True
H. M. Chadwick posited that the concept of subordination was an intrinsic element of the term 'thegn' from its inception, despite any apparent etymological disconnect with the word 'serve'.
The meaning and application of the term 'thegn' evolved to denote a member of a territorial nobility, attainable by fulfilling specific conditions.
Answer: True
The term 'thegn' evolved over time to signify membership in a territorial nobility, with the status of thegnhood becoming achievable through the fulfillment of particular conditions.
The Old English word 'hlaford' translates to 'war-leader' or 'protector of the realm'.
Answer: False
The Old English term 'hlaford' translates to 'loaf-guardian' or 'bread-giver,' emphasizing the lord's role in providing sustenance and protection, rather than 'war-leader'.
In the early Kentish law codes, 'gesith' was the term used for a nobleman, later replaced by 'eorl'.
Answer: False
In early Kentish law codes, 'eorl' was the term for a nobleman. The term 'gesith', meaning 'companion', replaced 'eorl' as the common term for a nobleman by the 8th century.
In the 10th century, 'thegn' (Old English: þegn) meant servant or warrior and had replaced the earlier term 'gesith'.
Answer: True
During the 10th century, the term 'thegn' (Old English: þegn) evolved to signify servant or warrior and had largely superseded the earlier term 'gesith'.
Which term denoted the system of land tenure held by a thegn and also the rank itself, considered approximately equivalent to a modern baron?
Answer: Thanage
The term 'thanage' refers to both the system of land tenure associated with a thegn and the rank itself, which is considered approximately equivalent to a modern barony.
According to H. M. Chadwick's hypothesis, what was the inherent sense of the word 'thegn' from its earliest times?
Answer: Subordination and service
H. M. Chadwick hypothesized that the word 'thegn' inherently carried a sense of subordination and service from its earliest usage.
What does the Old English term 'hlaford' signify about the role of a lord?
Answer: The lord was a 'loaf-guardian' or 'bread-giver', responsible for sustenance.
The Old English term 'hlaford' translates to 'loaf-guardian' or 'bread-giver,' emphasizing the lord's fundamental role in providing sustenance and support to those under his care.
Which term replaced 'eorl' as the common term for a nobleman in Anglo-Saxon England by the 8th century?
Answer: Gesith
By the 8th century, the term 'gesith', meaning 'companion', had replaced 'eorl' as the common term for a nobleman in Anglo-Saxon England.
The term 'gesith', meaning 'companion', was equivalent to which Latin term?
Answer: Comes
The Anglo-Saxon term 'gesith', meaning 'companion', is equivalent to the Latin term 'Comes'.
The term 'minister' in Latin was used in the context of Anglo-Saxon society to refer to which social group?
Answer: Thegns
In the context of Anglo-Saxon society, the Latin term 'minister' was used to refer to thegns, indicating their official or service role.
A 'gesith' could be rewarded for loyal service by being granted an estate, thereby improving their social standing.
Answer: True
Loyal service from a 'gesith' could indeed be rewarded with the grant of an estate, which would elevate their social and economic standing.
Thegnly status was inherited from the mother, and a thegnly woman marrying a 'ceorl' lost her noble status.
Answer: False
Thegnly status was inherited from the father. Furthermore, a thegnly woman marrying a 'ceorl' did not lose her noble status.
A successful thegn could potentially be promoted to the rank of earl, indicating upward social mobility.
Answer: True
Upward social mobility was possible for a successful thegn, with the potential for promotion to the rank of earl.
Archbishop Wulfstan of York outlined that a prosperous 'ceorl' could attain thegnhood by possessing five hides of land and a 'belhus'.
Answer: False
Archbishop Wulfstan of York specified that a prosperous 'ceorl' could attain thegnhood by possessing five hides of land, a 'belhus', and holding a seat and special office in the king's hall, not solely by land and 'belhus'.
The legal text 'Norðleoda laga' stipulated that land for thegnhood must have been kept within the family for five generations.
Answer: False
The 'Norðleoda laga' stipulated that land for thegnhood must have been kept within the family for three generations, not five.
A merchant could achieve thegnly status if they 'fared thrice over the wide sea by his own means'.
Answer: True
The text indicates that a merchant could attain thegnly status by successfully engaging in overseas trade, specifically by 'faring thrice over the wide sea by his own means'.
How could a 'ceorl' potentially achieve the status of a thegn according to Archbishop Wulfstan of York?
Answer: By possessing five hides of land, a 'belhus', and a special office in the king's hall.
Archbishop Wulfstan of York outlined that a prosperous 'ceorl' could attain thegnhood by possessing five hides of land, a 'belhus' (defensible manor house), and holding a seat and special office in the king's hall.
What happened to the thegnly status of a woman if she married a 'ceorl'?
Answer: She retained her noble status.
If a thegnly woman married a 'ceorl', she retained her noble status according to the provided information.
Which of the following was a criterion for a 'ceorl' to achieve thegnhood, according to the 'Norðleoda laga'?
Answer: Keeping five hides of land within the family for three generations.
The 'Norðleoda laga' stipulated that land for thegnhood must have been kept within the family for three generations, in addition to other requirements.
Under what circumstances could a merchant attain thegnly status?
Answer: By 'faring thrice over the wide sea by his own means'.
A merchant could achieve thegnly status if they successfully engaged in overseas trade, specifically by 'faring thrice over the wide sea by his own means'.
What was the significance of the 'belhus' and 'burhgeat' in the context of attaining thegnhood?
Answer: They referred to a defensible manor house, a marker of wealth and status.
The terms 'belhus' and 'burhgeat' referred to a defensible manor house, which was considered a marker of wealth and status essential for a 'ceorl' to potentially attain thegnhood.
Thegns were fundamental to local government, serving as the backbone of these structures and were obligated to attend the shire court.
Answer: True
Thegns played a crucial role in local government, forming the basis of administrative structures and being required to participate in shire court proceedings.
Under a law of Aethelred, the twelve senior thegns of a hundred acted as the judicial committee for accusation purposes.
Answer: True
A law enacted under Aethelred stipulated that the twelve senior thegns of a hundred served as the judicial committee responsible for accusation purposes.
The 'huntsman' (hunta) was identified as a household officer in noble wills, managing the lord's hunting activities.
Answer: True
The 'huntsman' (hunta) was a recognized household officer in noble wills, responsible for managing the lord's hunting activities.
Lesser thegns served as seneschals, chamberlains, and stewards within the households of king's thegns and ealdormen, considered honorable posts.
Answer: True
Lesser thegns held positions such as seneschals, chamberlains, and stewards within the households of higher-ranking thegns and ealdormen, which were regarded as honorable roles.
Which of the following was a key role of thegns in Anglo-Saxon local government?
Answer: Being drawn from the class from which sheriffs were selected
Thegns formed the class from which sheriffs were typically selected, indicating their significant role in local government administration.
What potential judicial function did the twelve senior thegns of a hundred have under a law of Aethelred?
Answer: Acting as the judicial committee for accusation purposes
Under a law of Aethelred, the twelve senior thegns of a hundred served as the judicial committee responsible for accusation purposes.
What role did chaplains fulfill within noble households, according to historical wills?
Answer: Performing secretarial duties alongside religious functions.
According to historical wills, chaplains in noble households performed secretarial duties in addition to their religious functions.
What was the primary function of thegns in the shire court?
Answer: To deliver judgments alongside other officials.
Thegns were obligated to attend the shire court and participate in delivering judgments, fulfilling a key function in local judicial administration.
What was the significance of the 'huntsman' (hunta) in a noble household?
Answer: He managed the lord's hunting activities.
The 'huntsman' (hunta) was a recognized household officer in noble wills, responsible for managing the lord's hunting activities.
By the late 6th century, archaeological findings suggest the development of a social elite in Anglo-Saxon England, possibly prompted by environmental crises.
Answer: True
Archaeological evidence from the late 6th century points to the emergence of a social elite in Anglo-Saxon England, potentially influenced by environmental and health crises of the period.
Land-owning 'gesiths' served as retainers within the king's 'comitatus', receiving gifts in return for service.
Answer: False
Landless 'gesiths' served as retainers within the king's 'comitatus', receiving protection and gifts. Land-owning 'gesiths' likely had a different relationship with the lord or king.
By the 10th century, Anglo-Saxon society was primarily divided into slaves, 'ceorlas' (free men), and 'ealdormen' (aristocrats).
Answer: False
By the 10th century, Anglo-Saxon society was primarily divided into slaves, 'ceorlas' (free men), and 'thegns' (aristocrats), not 'ealdormen' as the primary aristocratic class in this simplified division.
Noble households typically included retainers known as 'huscarls' and 'drengs'.
Answer: False
Noble households typically included retainers such as 'cniht' and 'huscarl'. The inclusion of 'drengs' in this statement makes it inaccurate according to the provided text.
How did the social structure of Anglo-Saxon communities differ in the 5th century compared to the late 6th century?
Answer: The 5th century lacked a social elite, while the late 6th century showed evidence of one emerging.
During the 5th century, Anglo-Saxon communities in Britain appear to have lacked a distinct social elite, whereas by the late 6th century, archaeological findings suggest the development of such an elite.
What was the primary role of a landless 'gesith'?
Answer: To act as a retainer within a lord's 'comitatus', receiving protection and gifts.
Landless 'gesiths' primarily served as retainers within a lord's 'comitatus', receiving protection and gifts in exchange for their service.
Which of the following was identified as a retainer typically part of a noble household?
Answer: Huscarl
The 'huscarl' was identified as a retainer typically found within a noble household.
In the sidebar illustration of Anglo-Saxon social hierarchy, which rank is positioned directly above the 'Thegn'?
Answer: Ealdorman (Earl)
The sidebar illustration of Anglo-Saxon social hierarchy places the Ealdorman (Earl) directly above the Thegn.
The 'weregeld' for a 'ceorl' was 1,200 shillings, reflecting their high social value.
Answer: False
The 'weregeld' for a 'ceorl' was 200 shillings, while a thegn's 'weregeld' was 1,200 shillings, indicating a significant difference in their social value.
The higher a thegn's rank, the lesser the 'heriot' (payment upon succession) they were required to pay.
Answer: False
The higher a thegn's rank, the greater the 'heriot' payment they were obligated to make, reflecting the reciprocal relationship between status and obligation.
What was the 'weregeld' (man price) for a thegn compared to that of a 'ceorl'?
Answer: A thegn's weregeld was 1,200 shillings, significantly higher than a ceorl's 200 shillings.
The 'weregeld' for a thegn was 1,200 shillings, which was considerably higher than the 200 shillings stipulated for a 'ceorl', reflecting their differing social values.
How did a thegn's rank influence the 'heriot' they paid?
Answer: The higher the rank, the greater the heriot payment.
A thegn's rank directly influenced the 'heriot' payment, with higher-ranking thegns being required to pay a greater sum upon succession.
In early medieval Scandinavia, the term 'thane' denoted a class of lords who owned large estates.
Answer: False
The source indicates that in early medieval Scandinavia, the term 'thane' denoted a class of retainers, not necessarily lords who owned large estates. In medieval Scotland, it referred to local royal officials.
Following the Norman Conquest, the thegns were integrated into the new knightly class, and their specific title was retained.
Answer: False
The Norman Conquest led to the replacement of the Anglo-Saxon thegnly system and title with Norman feudal terminology and structures, rather than being retained or simply integrated into the knightly class.
How did the Norman Conquest of 1066 affect the specific title of 'thegn'?
Answer: The title 'thegn' and its associated structures were superseded by Norman terminology.
The Norman Conquest led to the replacement of the Anglo-Saxon thegnly system and title with Norman feudal terminology and structures.
What historical evidence provides insight into the social standing of the deceased as a thegn in Denmark and Sweden during the late tenth and eleventh centuries?
Answer: Memorial runestones specifically mentioning the deceased as a thegn
Memorial runestones erected in Denmark and Sweden during the late tenth and eleventh centuries provide evidence of the deceased's social standing, with approximately fifty specifically mentioning them as a thegn.
What does the map of runestones, with 'thegns' marked in red and 'drengr' in blue, suggest?
Answer: The prevalence of thegns in areas influenced by Scandinavian culture.
The map of runestones, differentiating between 'thegns' and 'drengr', suggests the geographical distribution of these terms in regions influenced by Scandinavian culture.