Morcar (thegn) facts for kids

Morcar (also known as Morkere) was an important official, called a thane, who worked for King Æthelred the Unready. He lived a long time ago, around the year 1000. The King gave Morcar a lot of land in a place called Derbyshire, including towns like Weston-on-Trent, Crich, and Smalley. Morcar was also given special rights, like not having to pay certain taxes. Sadly, he died in 1015.

Morcar's Life and Role

Morcar was the son of a man named Earngrim. He also had a brother named Sigeferth. Morcar was mentioned in the will of Wulfric Spot, who was an important person in 1004. When Wulfric died, he left a lot of his wealth to Morcar.

Working for the King

In 1009, Morcar was a trusted thane (or minister) for King Æthelred the Unready. A thane was a noble who served the king, often as a military leader or administrator. The King gave Morcar land and special powers.

Important Land and River Crossings

The land Morcar received was very important. It included control over river crossings on the River Trent at places like Weston-on-Trent, Wilne, and King's Mills. These crossings were key routes for people traveling across England. They were also important because the river formed a boundary within Mercia, an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

The land given to Morcar included about eight "hides" (an old way to measure land) at Weston-on-Trent. It also included one hide each at Morley, Smalley, Ingleby, and Crich.

Special Rights and Powers

Morcar was given special rights that usually only the King had. He was in charge of all types of justice in his lands. He also did not have to follow the "Trinoda necessitas." This was a rule that usually made landowners provide soldiers, repair forts, and fix bridges. Morcar could even decide if someone lived or died without needing the King's permission.

The King gave Morcar even more land in Derbyshire. In 1011, he received land at what might have been Mickleover. In 1012, he got two more hides at Eckington.

Morcar's Death

Morcar and his brother, Sigeferth, died in 1015. After their deaths, King Æthelred took back all the lands he had given them.

King Æthelred also put Sigeferth's widow, a woman named Ealdgyth, in prison. However, King Edmund Ironside later freed her and married her. King Edmund then gave some of Sigeferth's old lands to other people.