declare on oath that it was so appointed in AEthelbald's time and
that they were not trying to obtain more, and the bishop
immediately gave security to Earl Eadwulf to furnish the oath
before all the councilors, and it was produced in 30 days at the
bishop's see at Worcester. At that time Hama was the reeve in
charge of the pigherds at Sinton, and he rode until he reached
Worcester, and watched and observed the oath, as Earl Eadwulf
bade him, but did not challenge it.

Here are the names and designations of those who were assembled
at the council meeting ..."




Chapter 3

- The Times: 900-1066 -

There were many large land-owners such as the King, earls and
bishops. Earls were noblemen by birth. A bishop was a church
official who had oversight responsibility for all churches within
his geographical area. The "bot" paid for injuring a bishop was
the same as that for an earl. This indicates that their social
rank was the same.

The lands of these lords were administered by freemen. They had
wheat, barley, and rye fields, orchards, vineyards, and
bee-keeping areas for honey. On this land lived not only farm
laborers, cattle herders, shepherds, goatherds, and pigherds, but