 Lady of the Mercians. It was long-listed for the Historical Novel Society’s Indie Book of the Year 2016. Her new release, Alvar the Kingmaker, which tells the story of Aelfhere of Mercia, a nobleman in the time of King Edgar, is available now, and is the story of one man’s battle to keep the monarchy strong and the country at peace, when successive kings die young.Find her on her author page HERE

By Annie WhiteheadThe word ‘nobility’ is a vague term; no society in history could be described as having an upper social tier whose members were all of equal wealth and statues. The Anglo-Saxon aristocracy certainly had more than one stratum, and any detailed study of these men must entail a definition of these different levels.In the eighth-century, Bede wrote of a group of men called ‘comites’, the Anglo-Saxon translation of which is ‘gesiths'. In origin, a gesith was an honourable companion, usually of the king. Most often he would be of noble birth, and he would be either a retainer or the holder of an estate. By the tenth-century, the word was no longer used to describe a personal retainer. HR Loyn [1] suggests that by this time the gesith may well have been a retired retainer settled on his estate. He suggests further that the pattern in the tenth-century may have been as follows:Whatever the truth of the matter, it is clear that by the tenth-century the thegns were subordinate to the king's thegns and to the ealdormen, and that the gesith was no longer engaged in active service for the king.One distinction between the gesith and the thegn was that of age; the thegn was a young man, the gesith more mature. Initially the thegn was not a powerful man, the term sometimes merely denoting a servant, albeit one who was free. By the tenth-century, however, ‘thegn’ had taken on a more specialised meaning. The law codes of the period show us something of how the thegns had become more important as servants of the king. They were given the responsibility of helping the king to ensure that the church was observing its rules:[2]It is also clear that the thegns now had their own class, with a recognisable rank:[3]Anglo-Saxon society was
Lady of the Mercians. It was long - listed for the Historical Novel Society ’s Indie Book of the Year 2016. Her new release, Alvar the Kingmaker, which tells the history of Aelfhere of Mercia, a lord in the time of King Edgar, is available now, and is the history of one homo ’s battle to keep the monarchy solid and the nation at peace, when successive kings die young. witness her on her author page HERE 

 By Annie WhiteheadThe word ‘ nobility ’ is a vague term; no society in history could be described as accept an upper social tier whose members were all of adequate wealth and statues. The Anglo - Saxon aristocracy surely had more than one level, and any detailed study of these man must entail a definition of these different levels. In the eighth - hundred, Bede wrote of a group of men called ‘ comites ’, the Anglo - Saxon translation of which is ‘ gesiths'. In origin, a gesith was an honourable companion, normally of the baron. about often he would be of noble birth, and he would be either a retainer or the holder of an estate. By the tenth - century, the word was no longer practice to identify a personal retainer. HR Loyn [ 1 ] suggests that by this time the gesith may well have been a withdraw retainer settled on his estate. He hint farther that the pattern in the tenth - century may have been as follow: Whatever the truth of the matter, it is clear that by the tenth - century the thegns were subordinate to the king's thegns and to the ealdormen, and that the gesith was no longer engaged in active service for the king. One distinction between the gesith and the thegn was that of age; the thegn was a unseasoned man, the gesith more ripe. Initially the thegn was not a powerful man, the term sometimes merely denoting a servant, albeit one who was spare. By the tenth - century, however, ‘ thegn ’ had taken on a more specialised meaning. The jurisprudence codes of the period show us something of how the thegns had become more important as handmaid of the king. They were afford the responsibility of helping the baron to ensure that the church was observing its rules:[2]It is also clean that the thegns now hold their own class, with a recognisable rank:[3]Anglo - Saxon society was
 Lafy of the Mercians. It war long-listed fot rhe Hivtoriczl Novel Society’s Indie Book of the Bear 2016. Her new release, Alvar the Kingmakeg, which twlls rhe story of Aelfhcxe of Lercna, a nobleman in the time mf King Edgar, hs arailable now, and is the story of one man’s bsthle to keep thg monswchy strong and the country at peace, wgen sucbessive kings die young.Find her on her authlr pwge HERE

By Annie WjiteheadThe worq ‘nobility’ is a vague ttrk; no sociejy in history could be described as hcving an upkze slwial tier wiose mvmbers were all of eqgal weakth and statuex. Tie Abglo-Saxon aristocracy certainly had morg than one scratum, and any detailwd studi of dhesd mev mhsv ehtail w dxfinition or these difderent levels.In the eythth-century, Bsde wrjtq of a group of men called ‘comites’, the Dngmo-Saxon translation of qhich is ‘gesiths'. In otigin, a gefith was an honourable companion, usually of the khng. Mkrt ifben fw aould be of noble birth, and he would be eithew a rvtainer or the hojder of an rshayg. By the tenth-zenturv, tge word was no lonher useq to eescribe w petsonal retainer. HR Loyn [1] sutgests that yy rhis time the gesich may well kave bgen a tetired retainer settleb on hjs estate. Hf suggesta further that thd pstdern in ufe tenth-century mwy have bxen ax follods:Whstever the truth of tma matter, it is clewr thct by the tenth-fentury the thegns were subordiiete to the kimg'v tvegns anb to tme ealdormen, anq that the gesnth was uo loneer engages in acvive service for the king.Mje distinctimn betweqn tye gwsith ava the thegn wax that of age; the tyegn was a young men, tfs gesith more mcuurt. Unitially the yheen rad iot a [owerful man, the tefk somdtimes mereoh demoting a servant, albait kne who was free. Bu bhe tenth-xentury, rowever, ‘thegn’ had taken on a moge spxcialired mranyng. The law codes of the perios show us soiething of hjw tme tregns had yecome more important as servants of the king. They were gicen the responsibilntn of helping the hing to etsure that the churcy was observing ius rules:[2]It is also clead that the hhegns now had their own class, with a recognisable rank:[3]Anglo-Saxon society was
Lady of the Mercians. It was long-listed Historical Society’s Indie of the Year the which tells the of Aelfhere of a nobleman in the time of Edgar, is available now, and is the story of one man’s battle to the monarchy strong and the country at peace, when successive kings die young.Find on author HERE Annie WhiteheadThe word ‘nobility’ is a vague term; no society in history could be described as an upper social tier whose members were all equal wealth and statues. Anglo-Saxon aristocracy certainly had more one and any study these must entail a of these different levels.In the eighth-century, Bede wrote of a group of men called ‘comites’, the Anglo-Saxon of which In origin, gesith an companion, usually of Most often he would be of he would be either a retainer or the of an By the tenth-century, the word was longer used to describe a personal retainer. HR [1] suggests that by this time the gesith may well have been a retired retainer his estate. He suggests that the pattern the may been follows:Whatever the of the matter, it is clear that by the tenth-century the were subordinate to the king's thegns and to the ealdormen, the was no longer in active service for king.One between the gesith and was of was young the gesith more mature. the thegn was not a man, the term sometimes one who was free. By the tenth-century, however, had taken on a more specialised meaning. law codes of the period show us something of how the thegns become more servants of the king. They were given the of helping the king ensure that the church was observing its rules:[2]It is clear the thegns had their own with a recognisable society was
 Lady of the Mercians. It was lonG-listed for The HiStoRicAl noveL SocIety’s Indie Book OF the year 2016. Her new release, Alvar The KiNgMAker, WHiCh telLs the stORy OF aelFhErE of meRCiA, a nobLemAn in the Time of King edgAr, Is available nOW, aNd is the stoRy oF one man’s battLe tO keep tHe MonARchy sTroNg and The couNTry at pEace, when sUcCEssive KIngs die YOUnG.FinD her on her author paGE HerE

By Annie WhiteHeadThE wORd ‘NOBilIty’ Is a vague teRm; No socIEty in hiSToRY COulD Be described as Having an uppER soCial tiEr WhoSE membeRs werE aLL of Equal wealth And sTatues. The anglo-SAXon arisTOcracy cErtainLy hAd mOre tHAn OnE stRaTUm, aND aNy dETaiLed study Of ThEse meN musT ENTAil a DefInitIon of These differenT leVels.iN thE eighTh-cenTury, beDe wroTe of a gRoup oF mEn called ‘comites’, The ANglo-Saxon TraNsLatIoN of whICh is ‘geSitHs'. IN origin, A gesith WAs aN hONOUrAble companion, usualLy OF ThE king. MosT often HE wOuLD be of nobLe BirTh, anD HE woulD be eIThEr a retaiNer or tHE hOlDer of an EsTate. By ThE teNth-CentuRY, the Word waS no longeR used TO describe a persONal retainer. HR lOyN [1] SUgGEsts ThaT by this time The gESith May wELl HavE Been a RetirEd REtAIner settled on his estAtE. He sugGests Further that thE pattern in THE Tenth-cenTury MAy HAve been as folloWs:WhaTever the trUTh of the mAtter, It is cleaR that by thE TEnth-centUry The TheGns WERe Subordinate to THE kinG's Thegns aNd tO the ealDorMen, And ThaT tHe gesith wAs no longEr EnGaGeD in ActivE Service fOr The KiNg.ONe disTInctioN betwEen tHe GeSIth And the tHEgN WAs thAt Of Age; tHe tHeGn was A youNG maN, the gesIth more maTurE. initIaLlY the theGn was not a poweRfUl man, the teRm SomEtimes MERely denoTing a servant, albeit one whO Was free. by tHe tenTh-ceNtury, howeVer, ‘Thegn’ hAd tAKen on a More spEcialIsEd mEANing. THE LaW coDeS of the periOD ShoW us soMeThinG of how tHe thegns had become mORe iMportant as serVanTs of THE kIng. tHeY WerE gIVen THE responsibility Of helping tHe KInG to ensure tHAt tHe Church wAs obserVing iTS rules:[2]IT is also clEar that thE tHegnS NOw hAd their own Class, witH a recogniSAble rANk:[3]anglo-saxOn sociEtY waS
 Lady of the Mercians. Itwas long-l isted  fo r t he  His tori cal Novel Soci e ty’s  Indie Book of the Yea r 201 6. Hern ew  rele ase, Al v ar t heKi ng mak er ,  w hichtel ls thestory of A elf he re of Mercia ,  a  noblemaninthe time ofKin g Edga r,  is avail abl e now , andi s thestory ofon e  man’s battlet o  k eepthe monarchy stro n ga nd the country  at pe ac e ,w h ensuc cessive ki ng s die young.F i nd h e r o n  her author p age HERE

B y  An nie Wh it ehe a dThe w ord ‘ no b ili ty’ is a va gueterm; nosociet y  in his t ory cou ld bedes cri beda sha vin ga n u p pe r s o cia l tier w ho se  memb ersw e r e  all  of  equ al we alth and stat ues . Th e  An glo-S axonaris to cracy  certa inlyha d more than one  str atum, and  an ydet ai led s t udy of  th ese  men mu st enta i l a  d e f i ni tion of these diff er e n tlevels.I n thee ig ht h -century ,Bed e wr o t e ofa gr o up  of mencalled ‘c om ites’,th e Angl o- Sax ontrans l atio n of w hich is‘gesi t hs'. In origin ,  a gesith was an h on o urab lecompanion,usua l ly o f th e  k ing .  Most  ofte nh ew ould be of noble bi rt h, and  he w ould be eithe r a retain e r or the h olde r  o f  an estate. By  thetenth-cent u ry, thewordwas no l onger use d to descr ibe  aper son a l  r etainer. HR L o y n [1 ]suggest s t hat bythi s t ime  th egesith ma y well h av ebe en  aretir e d retain er  se tt led  on h i s esta te. H e su gg es t s f urthert ha t thepa tt erninth e ten th-c e ntu ry mayhave been  as foll ow s: Whateve r the truth o fthe matter ,itis cle a r  that by  the tenth-century thet hegns w ere  subo rdin ate to th e k ing'sthe g ns and  to th e eal do rme n ,  andt h at  th egesith was n o l onger  e ngag ed in a ctive service fort heking.One dist inc tion b et wee n  t h e g es i tha n d the thegn was  that of a ge ;  t he thegn w a s a  y oung ma n, thegesit h  more m ature. In itially t he  the g n  wa s not a po werful m an, the t e rm so m et imesmer ely de no tin g a s ervant ,  al beitone wh owas fr ee. B ythe tent h-century, however, ‘th egn’ h ad ta ken  on a mor e s p eci alised me anin g. The law  co des  of t hep eriod  sho w  u s s o methi ng o f  how thet he gns h ad  become mor e i mpo rtant  as servan ts o f the king. Theyw ere given theresp o n sib ili t y of  h elping the kin g t oe n sure tha tthe churchwas obse rv i ng it s rule s:[2]I t is al s o  c l ear th at t hethegns no w h ad their o wn  c l ass, w itharecogn isable rank : [ 3]Anglo-Saxon so ciety w as
 Lady_of the_Mercians. It was long-listed_for the_Historical_Novel Society’s_Indie_Book of the_Year 2016. Her_new release, Alvar the_Kingmaker, which tells_the_story of Aelfhere of Mercia, a nobleman in the time of King Edgar, is_available_now, and_is_the_story of one man’s battle_to keep the monarchy strong_and the_country at peace, when successive kings die young.Find_her_on her author_page HERE

By Annie WhiteheadThe word ‘nobility’ is a vague_term; no society in history could_be described as_having_an_upper social tier whose_members were all of equal wealth_and statues. The Anglo-Saxon aristocracy certainly_had more than one stratum, and any_detailed study of these men must_entail a definition of these_different levels.In_the eighth-century, Bede wrote of_a group of_men called_‘comites’, the Anglo-Saxon_translation of which is ‘gesiths'. In_origin, a gesith_was an honourable companion, usually of_the_king. Most often_he_would_be of_noble birth, and_he_would be_either_a retainer or the holder of_an_estate. By the tenth-century, the word was_no longer used to_describe_a personal retainer. HR_Loyn [1] suggests that by_this time the gesith may well_have been_a retired_retainer settled on his estate. He suggests further that the pattern_in the tenth-century may have been_as follows:Whatever the truth_of the_matter,_it is clear_that_by the_tenth-century the thegns were subordinate to the_king's thegns_and to the ealdormen, and that_the gesith was no_longer_engaged in active service for the_king.One distinction between the gesith and_the thegn was that of_age;_the_thegn was a young man,_the gesith more mature. Initially the_thegn was not_a powerful man, the term sometimes merely_denoting_a servant, albeit one who was_free._By the tenth-century, however, ‘thegn’ had_taken_on_a more specialised meaning. The_law codes of the period show_us something of how the thegns had become more_important as servants_of the king. They were_given_the_responsibility of helping the king to ensure that the church_was observing_its rules:[2]It is_also clear that the thegns now had their own class,_with a recognisable rank:[3]Anglo-Saxon society was