Learnings: The Ealdormen: Difference between revisions
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[[File:DTVA - Glided silver belt mount.jpg|thumb|250px|An incomplete glided silver Anglo-Saxon belt mount / 6th-7th cent.]] | [[File:DTVA - Glided silver belt mount.jpg|thumb|250px|An incomplete glided silver Anglo-Saxon belt mount / 6th-7th cent.]] | ||
In time, [[ealdormen]] came to be seen as representatives of royal power. They were members of the {{Wiki|Witan}}, a royal council. In some cases, the title may have been inherited. A [[thegn]], or a noble man of good renown, could also become an ealdorman via appointment. | In time, [[Ealdorman|ealdormen]] came to be seen as representatives of royal power. They were members of the {{Wiki|Witan}}, a royal council. In some cases, the title may have been inherited. A ''[[thegn]]'', or a noble man of good renown, could also become an ealdorman via appointment. | ||
Each ealdorman ruled a region of variable size, in which, according to the king's will, he could levy a tax or assemble and lead the fyrd, a sort of militia. Those powers, among others, could sometimes lead an ealdorman to exercise a bit more power than he should. A weak king sometimes had to deal with more independent ealdormen before they became a threat to his crown. | Each ealdorman ruled a region of variable size, in which, according to the king's will, he could levy a tax or assemble and lead the ''{{Wiki|fyrd}}'', a sort of militia. Those powers, among others, could sometimes lead an ealdorman to exercise a bit more power than he should. A weak king sometimes had to deal with more independent ealdormen before they became a threat to his crown. | ||
It's likely that ealdormen were among the wealthiest members of society. They could have possessed objects of great value, like this glided belt mount. | It's likely that ealdormen were among the wealthiest members of society. They could have possessed objects of great value, like this glided [[belt]] mount. | ||
[[Category:Discovery Tour: Viking Age]] | [[Category:Discovery Tour: Viking Age]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:52, 11 December 2021
In time, ealdormen came to be seen as representatives of royal power. They were members of the Witan, a royal council. In some cases, the title may have been inherited. A thegn, or a noble man of good renown, could also become an ealdorman via appointment.
Each ealdorman ruled a region of variable size, in which, according to the king's will, he could levy a tax or assemble and lead the fyrd, a sort of militia. Those powers, among others, could sometimes lead an ealdorman to exercise a bit more power than he should. A weak king sometimes had to deal with more independent ealdormen before they became a threat to his crown.
It's likely that ealdormen were among the wealthiest members of society. They could have possessed objects of great value, like this glided belt mount.