A look at the structure of Anglo-Saxon society pre Norman Conquest. How the land was divided into shires and the government of that land.
Shire
Although the word 'county' is in common use now (from a French term used after the Norman Conquest), the term 'shire' still persists in England (e.g. Hampshire), and those lands the English settled, in paticular the USA. The 'shire' is the Englisc division of land, it was divided into 'hundreds' and administered by an Earldorman and Sheriff.
A 'hundred' was so called because theoretically is was made up of a hundred 'hides', although in reality it rarely did.
A 'hide' is a measurement of land of an uncertain size, but basically, it was an amount of land deemed large enough to support an average family, which of course we have no reliable records of. This could vary depending on the type of land, the soil condition and the terrain. It was used as a measurement for taxation and military recruitment purposes. Out of interest, an acre was a measurement of land that could be ploughed in one day.
The administration and justice of a shire was the responsibility of the Shire-Gerefa (Shire-Reeve), a title which evolved into the word Sheriff. They dealt with legal matters at the Shiremot (court), attended by the Gerefa (Reeves) of the hundreds which took place twice a year. This dealt with land issues and maintained the folclaw (tribal customs) of the Shire. They were also responsible for collecting geld (taxes) and supplies required by their Cyning.
Each 'hundred' had it's own folcgemot (court) which would meet regularly at a specified place and date. Here, all criminal matters were dealt with, as well as some private disputes, and were to be attended by all members of the 'hundred'. Crimes committed within a 'hundred' were deemed the responsibilty of it's inhabitants, and if the criminal was not found it's members would have to make reperations to the injured party. In the Danegeld areas of England (those lands occupied by the Danes after the truce with Æfred the Great) the 'hundred' was known as the 'Wapentake', and in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria as 'Ward' (a term used to denote political divisions now). Settlements within shires were known as 'tuns' (hence places such as Tunbridge Wells in Kent), the latin term for this is 'vill' were the term village originates. Some of these settlements developed their own shires, e.g. Cambridgeshre in England. 'Burghs' were fortified settlements, which became more developed having traders and markets. A Burgh-Gerefa (Burgh-Reeve) was appointed and resided over the Burghmot (court), this was seperate from the folcgemot, but like that a lower moot than the Shiremot.
Rule
At the head of the 'tribe' was the Cyning (where the term King originates from). Under the Cyning were the Earldormen (Elder Men), administrators of Shires (this term evolved into the title Earl). Then came the Heah-Gerefa (High-Reeve), originally a stand-in for an Earldorman although later evovling into an equivilant rank. The Gesið (Companion of the Cyning) and Ðegn (personal retainer) were the Cyning's warriors, the earlier versions of knights. Þingaliðs (Housecarls) were armed retainers of the Cyning or an Earldorman. Gerefa (Reeves) were appointed leaders of the community within the Shires.
The Cyning originally would be selected by the Witena Gemot (Wise Men Meeting), those who could trace their ancestry to the Gods. He was a warrior, capable of leading his folc in battle, and wise enough to lead them in peace, acting as an arbiter in disputes. He was not the autocratic King of the Middle Ages, but lead through consensus, relying on the Witan for advice. The Witan was called at regular intervals, and at times of crisis, and both the Witan and the Cyning issued laws jointly.
Earldormen tended to be local native leaders of the Shire, whereas the Sheriff tended to be appointed by the Cyning, to look after his interests.
The Heah-Gerefa would be a local major land owner of the shire.
A Gesið was a close companion of the Cyning of noble birth and a proven warrior.
A Ðegn was a warrior retainer of a Cyning.
A Þingalið was a member of a personal retinue.
The Gerefa were important members of the local community.
In times of conflict, the Cyning could call upon the 'Hird' (armed companions), containing Ealdormen, Gesiðs, Ðegns, and Þingaliðs, and the 'Fyrd' (militia), made up local levies.
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