Every merchant who had made three long voyages on
his own behalf and at his own cost ranked as a thegn. There were
also some craft guilds composed of handicraftsmen or artisans.
Escaped bonded agricultural workers, poor people, and traders
without land migrated to towns to live, but were not citizens.
Towns were largely self-sufficient, but salt and iron came from a
distance. The King's established in every shire at least one town
with a market place where purchases would be witnessed and a mint
where reliable money was coined by a moneyer. There were eight
moneyers in London. Coins were issued to be of value for only a
couple of years. Then one had to exchange them for newly issued
ones at a rate of about 10 old for 8 or 9 new. The difference
constituted a tax. Roughly 10% of the people lived in towns. Some
took surnames such as Tanner, Weaver, or Carpenter. Some had
affectionate or derisive nicknames such as clear-hand, fresh
friend, soft bread, foul beard, money taker, or penny purse.
Craftsmen in the 1000s included goldsmiths, embroiderers,
illuminators of manuscripts, and armorers.
Edward the Confessor, named such for his piety, was a king of 24
years who was widely respected for his intelligence,
resourcefulness, good judgment, and wisdom. His educated Queen
Edith, whom he relied on for advice and cheerful courage, was a
stabilizing influence on him. They were served by a number of
thegns, who had duties in the household, which was composed of the
hall, the courtyard, and the bedchamber.
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