Eadnoth the Constable facts for kids

Eadnoth the Constable (died 1068) was an important person in England before the Norman Conquest. He was also known as Eadnoth the Staller. He owned a lot of land and worked for two kings: Edward the Confessor and King Harold II.

Who Was Eadnoth the Constable?

Eadnoth was a powerful Anglo-Saxon landowner. He lived during a time when England was changing a lot. He was a trusted helper to the kings of England. His jobs were very important for how the country was run.

Eadnoth's Important Jobs

Eadnoth held two main titles: "Constable" and "Staller." These were high-ranking positions. They showed that he was close to the king. He helped manage the king's household and lands.

What Was a Staller?

A Staller was a very important official in Anglo-Saxon England. They were like a high-ranking military commander. Stallers also helped manage the royal household. They often led the king's soldiers. Eadnoth was one of these key figures.

What Was a Steward?

A Steward was someone who managed the affairs of a large estate or a royal household. They looked after the money and property. They also made sure everything ran smoothly. Eadnoth was a steward for King Edward the Confessor. Later, he served King Harold II. This shows how much the kings trusted him.

Eadnoth's Land and Wealth

Before the Norman Conquest, Eadnoth owned many properties. The Domesday Book lists him as holding thirty manors. A manor was a large estate with land and villages. These manors were spread across different parts of England. They were in Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire. This made him a very rich and influential person.

The Domesday Book

The Domesday Book is a famous record. It was created in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. It listed all the land and property in England. It helped the new Norman rulers know what was owned by whom. It also helped them collect taxes. Eadnoth's name appears in this important book. This proves his wealth and status.

Eadnoth's Final Battle

Eadnoth died in 1068. This was two years after the Norman Conquest. He was killed in a place called Bleadon. He was leading a group of people against an invasion. The invaders were the two sons of King Harold II. They had come to attack Somerset. Eadnoth fought to defend the land.

His Family's Legacy

Eadnoth left behind an important family. His son was named Harding. Harding became a powerful official himself. He was the Sheriff of Reeve in Bristol. A sheriff was a royal officer. They were in charge of a county.

One of Eadnoth's grandsons was Robert Fitzharding. Robert was a very important person in his time. He was the ancestor of the Berkeley family. This family later built the famous Berkeley Castle. So, Eadnoth's family continued to be influential for many generations.