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Government in Anglo-Saxon England

Origins of kingship (500–600)
The most important kingdoms to develop were the Heptarchy: Kent, Essex, Wessex, Sussex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria. These new societies were based on Germanic law and culture. While there was some Celtic influence, especially in Northumbria and the west Midlands, nothing of Roman law or culture survived.

Early kingdoms (600–871)
Not in article: Noblemen were expected to always be prepared for military action, and ordinary freemen (Old English: ceorl) could be recruited to serve in the fyrd. The earliest extant charters date from the end of the 7th century. Most of these concern land grants to monasteries or laymen. The most important kingdoms became known as the Heptarchy: Kent, Essex, Wessex, Sussex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria.

Consolidation (871–899)
Not in article: Drawing on the older legal traditions of Wessex, Mercia and Kent, Alfred issued his own law code, the Doom book. Land taxes were levied based on hidage. While silver coins were in use, most taxes were paid in kind. Much of the king's time was taken up with judicial matters, and judicial profits provided an important source of royal revenue. Alfred also exercised overlordship over the unconquered half of Mercia, which was ruled by Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians, who was married to Alfred's daughter Æthelflæd.

Kingship
Not in article yet: In the later Anglo-Saxon period, kings expanded their roles over a range of legal fields, especially in preserving the peace. This can be seen in the concern to punish theft or Cnut's use of outlawry.

Succession
Not in article Anointing had a sacramental character to it, the king gained a closer relationship with God and became his representative.

Coronation
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Royal household
Not in article The royal household conducted the secretarial, financial, and judicial work of the royal government.

Finances
Not in the article Danegeld was first instituted by Aethelred the Unready in 991. The king's income came from revenue generated from the royal demesne and the annual "farm" from each shire (the farm was the fixed sum paid by sheriffs for the privilege of administering and profiting from royal lands). Kings also made income from judicial fines and regulation of trade. A large source of revenue was the geld or property tax first levied in response to Viking invasions.

Shires
Not in article Historian H. R. Loyn stated that, besides the monarchy, the shire court was "perhaps the most important institution in Anglo-Saxon England".

Hundreds and boroughs
More information on the monastice "immunities" in Anglo-Saxon England - Warren p. 49