User:Leaswood/Economy of Anglo-Saxon England

Economy of Anglo-Saxon England

Introduction

This article covers the economy of Anglo-Saxon England from the 5th Century to 1066. For the modern macroeconomic term see Anglo-Saxon economy.

The economy of Anglo-Saxon England was predominantly rural but in the later part of the period from the 9th to 11th Centuries urban life developed significantly. This involved a revival of many former Roman cities, the creation of a new type of fortified town, the burh, and development of other settlements, for example around abbeys.

Agriculture

Agriculture - mainly subsistence or serving local markets - was the basis of the economy. Surplus production was required to support royal and noble households, including the work of government. The limitations of the transport system made it easier for kings and lesser officials to move between their estates using up local surpluses rather than remain in a fixed capital. Over time, capitals did develop, such as Winchester, capital of Wessex from 827, but they would have required plenty of royal land in close proximity.

Fisheries

The Anglo-Saxons exploited both sea and freshwater fisheries and fish formed an important part of their diet.

Transport

Rivers were the main highways of Anglo-Saxon England, both as an invasion route and for trade, as evidenced by the location of most towns on navigable rivers and the use of burhs to control crossing points. Coastal traffic would have been significant, and ports on the coast like Southampton or up major rivers like York would have served as transhipment points between ocean-going vessels and smaller craft able to travel up-river. Roman roads were avoided by the early settlers but were later brought into use, while ancient ridgeways were also used. Under Alfred the Great's defensive system, bridge work (ie construction and maintenance) continued to be an obligation on landholders, as it had been earlier in West Saxon history. The burhs were connected by a system of army roads (herepath), typically incorporating ridgeways, and these would have been used for trade, although perhaps using pack animals rather than wheeled traffic.

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