Burghal Hidage

Historical Background and content

In burghal Hidage, possibly, but not later than 917 was already in the 880s years, 33 listed burhs ( " castles " ) and required to supply the soldiers lands. Was used Placed a crew of one man per 1.25 m of the ramparts, for whose maintenance a hide was estimated. Such a " war tax " is mentioned in documents since the mid-8th century. A new feature, however, was the establishment of a standing army by Alfred the Great to the Anglo-Saxon England dar.

The importance of the burghal Hidage for understanding the Anglo-Saxon line of defense is that not only the location and size of fixtures, but also the garrison strength were recorded. The fortifications were partly Iron Age (eg Pilton ) and Roman origins (eg Bath), some of them were rebuilt.

None of the seven designated as burghal Hidage document contains a complete list. The preserved specimens probably go back to two older originals and date from the time of Edward the Elder ( 899-924 ). The last two entries ( Worcester and Warwick ) are later additions.