Which term describes the collective body of free men who could be called to serve in the fyrd?

Which term describes the collective body of free men who could be called to serve in the fyrd?

• A. Embassy
• B. Aristocracy
• C. Fyrd
• D. Housecarls

Answer: (C)

In Anglo-Saxon England, the term fyrd describes the general body of free men who could be called up to serve in military duty. This was a local militia drawn from freemen and landholders who owed military service to their lord or the king. They were not full-time soldiers; when mobilized they would equip themselves and fight alongside professionals as needed. This differs from housecarls, who were the king’s professional infantry, paid and regularly trained, and from embassy and aristocracy, which refer to a diplomatic mission and a social class, respectively. So the collective force of free men eligible for service is the fyrd.

In Anglo-Saxon England, the term fyrd describes the general body of free men who could be called up to serve in military duty. This was a local militia drawn from freemen and landholders who owed military service to their lord or the king. They were not full-time soldiers; when mobilized they would equip themselves and fight alongside professionals as needed. This differs from housecarls, who were the king’s professional infantry, paid and regularly trained, and from embassy and aristocracy, which refer to a diplomatic mission and a social class, respectively. So the collective force of free men eligible for service is the fyrd.