Key Term

Definition

Succession

The process of who becomes the next king or queen

Claimant

A person claiming the right to the throne

Witan

Council of important Anglo-Saxon nobles and church leaders

Housecarl

Professional Anglo-Saxon soldier

Fyrd

Part-time Anglo-Saxon soldiers

Cavalry

Soldiers who fight on horseback

Infantry

Soldiers who fight on foot

Shield Wall

Defensive formation using locked shields

Norman

People from Normandy in northern France

Coronation

Ceremony where a monarch is crowned