1. Kings and Nobles:
* King: The ultimate authority, responsible for justice, defense, and law.
* Ealdorman: Regional rulers, appointed by the king, responsible for administering justice and raising armies.
* Thegn: Warriors and advisors to the king and ealdormen, who held land and enjoyed privileges in exchange for loyalty.
2. Freemen:
* Ceorls: Free farmers who owned land and were responsible for their own defense. They could participate in the local court (the moot) and held certain rights.
* Freeholders: Individuals who owned land and had some degree of independence.
3. Unfree:
* Slaves: Individuals who were owned by others and had no rights.
* Serfs: Individuals who were tied to the land and owed labor and services to their lord.
Key Features of Anglo-Saxon Society:
* Lineage: Family and ancestry were crucial to social status.
* Comitatus: A bond of loyalty and obligation between a lord and his warriors.
* Witan: A council of advisors to the king, composed of nobles and senior churchmen.
* Folkland: Land held communally by the people, which could be allocated to individuals for use.
* Bocland: Land held by individuals with hereditary rights.
Social Mobility:
While the social structure was hierarchical, some degree of social mobility existed. Ceorls could acquire wealth and status and become thegns, and slaves could gain their freedom. However, upward mobility was generally limited.
Note: This structure evolved over time and varied slightly between different Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.