Which term best describes highly-trained troops who accompanied their lord as a personal bodyguard?

Which term best describes highly-trained troops who accompanied their lord as a personal bodyguard?

• A. Housecarls
• B. Fyrd
• C. Geld Tax
• D. Oath

Answer: (A)

Elite household troops in Anglo-Saxon England were housecarls—highly trained, professional soldiers who accompanied their lord as his personal bodyguard and retinue. They lived with or near the lord, trained for close-quarters fighting, and waited as a trusted constant armed presence on campaigns and at court. This sets them apart from the fyrd, the general levy of free men called up in war who lacked the same training and ongoing personal service to a single lord. Geld tax and oath refer to taxation and loyalty pledges, not to a specific military unit. The term housecarls best captures the idea of a king or lord’s dedicated, professional protectors.

Elite household troops in Anglo-Saxon England were housecarls—highly trained, professional soldiers who accompanied their lord as his personal bodyguard and retinue. They lived with or near the lord, trained for close-quarters fighting, and waited as a trusted constant armed presence on campaigns and at court. This sets them apart from the fyrd, the general levy of free men called up in war who lacked the same training and ongoing personal service to a single lord. Geld tax and oath refer to taxation and loyalty pledges, not to a specific military unit. The term housecarls best captures the idea of a king or lord’s dedicated, professional protectors.