Ealdorman facts for kids

An ealdorman was a very important official in early English history. The word comes from Old English and means "elder man." These powerful leaders were in charge of one or more areas called shires. Think of them as a mix of a manager, a judge, and a military commander. The title was used from the 6th century until the time of King Canute. Ealdormen were like the early versions of the earls we know today.

What Was an Ealdorman's Job?

A king would choose an ealdorman to govern a shire or a larger area. One of their main jobs was to lead the local army, called the fyrd, into battle. These armies were very loyal to their ealdorman.

Sometimes, the support of powerful ealdormen could even help someone become king! Many ealdormen kept their power even when new kings came to the throne. Some were even members of the royal family. In old documents, ealdormen were also called duces, principes, or patricii.

A Look at Their History

The word "ealdorman" first appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the year 568. But people probably used it much earlier. By the 7th century, ealdormen were already acting as judges.

Over time, the position of ealdorman often became something that was passed down from father to son. This made the families holding these titles very powerful. Some ealdormen became almost as powerful as the king himself! They were sometimes called patricius. This was similar to the "mayor of the palace" in the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish kings.

Having such powerful people could be risky for a king. In the 8th and 9th centuries, some ealdormen who were related to the royal family even tried to take the throne! Kings needed their ealdormen to help them rule. A king could appoint his own family members as ealdormen, but not enough to control every area. As ealdorman families grew stronger and supported each other, it became harder for a king to remove them from power.

From Ealdorman to Earl

The title "ealdorman" slowly changed to "earl" during the 11th century. In the laws of King Canute, both terms are used, but they meant the same thing.

After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the title "earl" became more common. It was sometimes written as comes, which means "count." King William, who led the Normans, replaced most of the Anglo-Saxon earls with his own people. He also limited their power, giving them control over specific counties, castles, or other areas. A few earls were given more power and were called Earl palatine.

Images for kids

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  A mention of ealdormen in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

See also

In Spanish: Ealdorman para niños