Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge
in Anglo-Saxon England
Reading Guide
Overview
Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge in Anglo-Saxon England will use the story of a feud
between two aristocrat families from Northumbria (the northernmost region of England) to take
you on a tour of English history from the reign of Alfred the Great in the 9th century up to the
aftermath of the Norman conquest in the 11th century. Along the way you will explore medieval
notions of feud, marriage, politics, piety, and governance, learn about the complex interactions
between the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Scots in English history, and meet people like Alfred
the Great, Canute the Dane, Harold Godwinson, and William the Conqueror. This is a very well
written book and I hope you all enjoy it and allow yourselves to be caught in the drama of the
story which Fletcher tells.
Things to look for as you read Bloodfeud:
Since the copies of Bloodfeud are not yours to keep, you may not write any notes in the copy you
are reading. You should, however, keep handy a notebook or some notepaper on which you can
write down your thoughts and questions about Bloodfeud. In particular, as you read, you should
be on the lookout for the following subjects:
• Family and its importance
• Feud in medieval society
• Saints and how they were seen
• Limitations of royal power
• How royal power was expressed and enforced
• Piety
1/6 Assignment: Bloodfeud 1-12
Preview
In the first chapter of Bloodfeud Fletcher introduces you to the feud which provides the
title for this book - a series of murders committed by the families of Uhtred, the earl of
Northumbria, and Thurbrand, another Northumbrian aristocrat, against each other. Fletcher
stresses that if we want really to understand this feud then we will need also to understand the
social and political contexts in which this violence took place. Fletcher then describes how feud
was an accepted and important part of early medieval society with rules that everyone knew and
were expected to follow. Fletcher ends his first chapter by illustrating his claims about the nature
of medieval feuds with examples from medieval literature.
Things to look for in this reading:
• Uhtred, Canute, Thurbrand
• Feud in medieval society
• Context - Why it is important
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Uhtred:
Canute:
Thurbrand:
Questions
Name:__________________
1. Who was the most important man in the north of England? Why?
2. What was the purpose of Uhtred's meeting with Canute? What happened at this meeting?
3. Why is the pamphlet written at Durham which Fletcher discusses on pages 4-5 important to
his story?
4. What does a state of feud mean, according to Fletcher?
5. In the last paragraph of the chapter, Fletcher quotes from an historian names Marc Bloch.
What is this quote and what do you think it means?
1/7 Assignment: Bloodfeud 13-24
Preview
In today's reading, Fletcher outlines the development of the English kingdom from its
origins through the end of the tenth century. Beginning with the invasions of Britain by the
Angles, Saxons, and Jutes (three Germanic tribes from northern Europe), Fletcher takes you
through the creation and growth of the four major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms - Wessex in the south,
Essex in the east, Mercia in the midlands, and Northumbria in the north. After discussing the
shared culture of the Anglo-Saxons kingdoms, Fletcher describes the Viking attacks on England
and how Viking raids eventually turned into Viking settlements in a region of England known as
the Danelaw. Today's reading ends with the successful resistance of Alfred the Great (a king of
Wessex) to the Viking invasion and the growth of Wessex under Alfred's successors into the
kingdom of England.
Things to look for in this reading:
• Alfred the Great
• Growth of the Kingdom of Wessex
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Danelaw:
Ealdorman:
Alfred the Great:
Questions
1. According to Fletcher, what three words offer the "simplest and most cogent" explanation for
the viking attacks upon England?
2. Why is it not easy to grasp the "historical reality of Alfred as a man and king"?
3. Why did Alfred reform the law?
4. According to Fletcher, how did contemporaries view the battle of Brunanburh? How does this
differ from how historians view it today?
5. How does Fletcher describe the "clerical establishment" on page 24?
1/8 Assignment: Bloodfeud 24-37
Preview
Today's reading will cover parts of two chapters. In the second part of chapter two,
Fletcher begins by using monastic patronage, the English monetary system, and rituals of
governance to examine the reign of Edgar, an English king. After this, Fletcher turns his attention
to the nature of medieval kingship and governance, explaining why medieval kings were always
on the move. Fletcher also says that most medieval kings had a "home" region of their kingdom
where they were safest and strongest and also a part of their kingdom where they were the most
exposed to danger and the weakest. For the English kings, as Fletcher points out, their "home"
territory was Wessex and it was in Northumbria where the English kings felt the weakest and
most vulnerable.
In chapter three of Bloodfeud, Fletcher turns his attention to Northumbria, the
northernmost province of England. He explains that Northumbria was distant from the English
king's power base in Wessex and difficult to get to because of natural barriers and because of
this, the English kings had a somewhat shaky grip upon Northumbria. According to Fletcher, the
most important person in Northumbria was not alive at all but dead. This person, Fletcher says, is
St. Cuthbert whom, along with the other local saints, were considered to be spiritually alive even
if physically dead and wielded significant influence in the north of England.
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Ing (pg. 32):
St. Cuthbert:
Questions
1. What does Fletcher say is perhaps the most formidable evidence of Anglo-Saxon royal power?
2. How many people would an Anglo-Saxon have traveled with as he moved about his kingdom?
3. What were the tenth-century English kings first and last? What does this mean?
4. In Fletcher's opinion, why was the grip of the English kings upon Northumbria shakier than
other places in their realm?
5. What were the saints sources of, according to Fletcher?
1/12 Assignment: Bloodfeud 37-42, 75-8
Preview:
Your reading today will start in the chapter on Northumbria where Fletcher explains that
after saints, the most important people in Northumbria were the great aristocratic families.
Fletcher introduces you to Oswulf (Uhtred's grandfather) and the house of Bamburgh and then
describes how Northumbria contains two distinct regions - Bernicia in the north and Deira in the
south. Another important person in the north of England, according Fletcher, was the archbishop
of York.
After skipping parts of chapter 3 and 4, your reading will pick up with Uhtred's three
marriages and their political significance. After this, Fletcher changes gears and talks about the
Danish invasion and conquest of England in the 11th century under their king, Sweyn. This
conquest ousted the English king, Ethelred, who fled for protection to his father-in-law, the duke
of Normandy. Fletcher explains that Sweyn's victory did not last long: he died shortly after
conquering England. After Sweyn's death the aristocracy invited Ethelred to resume the English
throne, but events would conspire to keep Ethelred's renewed reign short.
Things to look for in this reading:
• Aristocratic marriage strategies
• Uhtred's conflicted loyalties
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Bernicia:
Deira:
Ethelred:
Sweyn:
Reading Questions
1. What title did Oswulf and his ancestors hold at Bamburgh?
2. What in the relationship between the kings of England and the earls of Northumbria is an
important part of Fletcher's story?
3. Considerations of what tended to shape the marriage strategies of the upper levels of society in
the middle ages?
4. What was different about Thorkell the Tall's army?
5. Whom did Uhtred support during Sweyn's invasion? Was this an easy choice for him to make,
according to Fletcher?
1/13 Assignment: Bloodfeud 81-85, 111-118
Preview:
Fletcher begins your reading today with the deaths of two Mercian aristocrats, Sigeferth
and Morcar, explaining how their deaths were a result of national and local tensions. Fletcher
next draws your attention to conflict within the English royal family between the children of
King Ethelred's first and second marriages. This conflict causes Ethelred's oldest son, Edmund
Ironside, to rebel against his father in a bid for the crown. Uhtred joins Edmund against Ethelred,
but everything changes when Canute, Sweyn's son, sails back to England and reconquers it for
Denmark. Uhtred goes to submit to Canute at Wiheal and we all know what happens next.
Skipping ahead to chapter 6, Fletcher begins by painting a picture of Northumbria after
Uhtred's murder. Uhtred's brother Eadwulf succeeded him in the earldom of Bernicia while
Canute installed a brother-in-law as earl of Deira. A new bishop was installed in Durham and the
the Scots were again threatening to invade Northumbria. All in all, Northumbria was in a state of
disarray in the first years of Canute's reign. Fletcher relates that Eadwulf died quickly and was
succeeded by Uhtred's son, Ealdred. Ealdred avenged his father by killing Thurbrand. Fletcher
will wrap up today's reading by elaborating on how kings were involved in feuds and how all
levels of medieval society could be touched by a feud.
Things to look for in today's reading:
• Interpretations of Sigeferth and Morcar's deaths
• Tension in Ethelred's family
• Role of kings in a feud
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Edmund Ironside:
Emma of Normandy:
Eadwulf:
Ealdred:
Reading Questions
1. What was the most dreaded and bitterest kind of dissension? Where was the very worst place
for a dissension of this kind to happen?
2. How does Fletcher describe Emma of Normandy?
3. Whom did Edmund marry at the outset of his rebellion? Why do you think this was important?
4. What other kingdoms did Canute rule besides England?
5. How did kings try to insert themselves into the process of feud?
1/14 Assignment: Bloodfeud 118-130
Preview:
The second part of chapter 6 continues the story of the feud. Both Eadred, Uhtred's son,
and Carl, Thurbrand's son, were unsuccessful in killing each other and were eventually
reconciled and even swore brotherhood with each other. Fletcher then digresses to discuss late
Anglo-Saxon piety, but returns to the feud to relate how the relationship between Ealdred and
Carl turned sour, resulting in Carl murdering Ealdred.
In chapter 7 Fletcher begins with the immediate aftermath of Ealdred's murder and talks
about how feuds were remembered. Note the role which Fletcher gives to women in propagating
a feud (like in the Saga of the Volsungs). Fletcher then draws our attention to what historians
know about women in 10th-century England and discusses women and their role in aristocratic
marriages. The reading ends with a case study Ecgfrida's marriages and their political and
economic ramifications. Ecgfrida was the daughter of the bishop of Durham and Uhtred's first
wife.
Things to look for in today's reading:
• How piety was expressed in Anglo-Saxon England
• Role of women in property exchange and creating alliances
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Ecgfrida:
Carl:
Reading Questions
1. What is a sworn brotherhood? What did it do? Where else we have encountered sworn
brotherhood?
2. What kind of piety did the laity possess, according to Fletcher?
3. What role do women often play in a feud?
4. Why do historians know so little about women in tenth-century England?
5. How does Fletcher describe girls of marriageable age?
1/15 Assignment: Bloodfeud 134-136, 142-145
Preview:
In the first part of today's reading you will encounter the historical Macbeth. Enjoy
learning about the history that inspired Shakespeare's play! In chapter 8, Fletcher begins to set up
for the Norman conquest of England. He introduces Edward the Confessor, king of England, and
the powerful Godwin family.
Things to look for in this reading:
• Godwin and his family
• Edward the Confessor's family relations
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Edward the Confessor:
Godwin:
Harold:
Reading Questions
1. To what do Macbeth and his wife owe their evil reputations?
2. For how many years was Edward an exile in France?
3. What is an earl?
4. How was earl Godwin and his family connected to the king?
5. What happened to Godwin's oldest son, Harold?
1/19 Assignment: Bloodfeud 148-151, 154-162
Preview
Today's reading begins with Macbeth's fall from power and the installation of Malcolm as
king of the Scots, which was accomplished with the aid of Siward, the earl of Northumbria.
Siward dies soon afterward and is succeeded by Tostig, a son of Godwin. Fletcher discusses the
reasons behind the odd appointment of Tostig to the earldom of Northumbria. Tostig proves to be
a miserable earl, failing to defend Northumbria and engendering dislike, hatred, and mistrust
between himself and the Northumbrians. Eventually, the Northumbrians revolt and Tostig is
removed from the office of earl and sent into exile. Tostig blames his brother Harold for this turn
of events since Harold had negotiated with the rebels and agreed to Tostig's removal and exile.
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Tostig:
Questions
1. Who lead the campaign that defeated Macbeth?
2. Why was Tostig's appointment to the earldom of Northumbria "wholly surprising?"
3. Why does Fletcher recount the story of Judith and the tomb of St. Cuthbert? What point is he
trying to make about her and the Durham cathedral community (where the tomb was located)?
4. How would the native Northumbrian aristocracy have seen Copsig, Tostig's right-hand man?
5. What three complaints did the Northumbrian rebels have against Tostig?
1/20 Assignment: Bloodfeud 163-172
Preview
Today's reading tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. The story begins with
the death of Edward the Confessor and the crowning of Harold, son of Godwin, as king of
England. There were more than one claimant, however, and Harold soon faces challenges to his
rule. First, Harald Hardrada, the king of Norway, attacks England from the north. Harold
Godwinson defeats him at the battle of Stamford Bridge but soon hears news that William, duke
of Normandy, has landed in the south of England with another army. After a forced march,
Harold meets William in battle at Hastings where William is victorious. William is crowned king
of England. The rest of the reading relates William's attempts to rule Northumbria which
ultimately results in central and northern England rebelling against their new king.
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Harald Hardrada:
William of Normandy:
Questions
1. Why was the succession to the English throne uncertain?
2. Who fought alongside the invading Harald Hardrada of Norway at the Battle of Stamford
Bridge?
3. What happened to Harold at the Battle of Hastings?
4. Who was one of William's only inept appointments?
5. What was Copsig's death a portent of?
1/21 Assignment: Bloodfeud 173-182
Preview
Today's reading begins with William's response to the Northumbrian revolt and the direct
imposition of Norman rule upon Northumbria. Norman rule proves to be more harsh than even
Tostig's rule and results in a second uprising against William which is also put down harshly.
Before long, however, the north of England is in revolt again, this time in support of the Danish
king Sweyn and Edgar Atheling. This third and final revolt was also crushed by William who
afterwards punished Northumbria with punitive raids known since as the "Harrying of the
North."
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Questions
1. What happened to the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy between 1066 and 1086?
2. What happened on 31 January 1069 and what did it start?
3. Who died on the 11th of September? Why is this death important?
4. What happened to the Danes in this invasion?
5. What did William do (and Fletcher insist that he intended to do) during the "Harrying of the
North?"
1/22 Assignment: Bloodfeud 183-193
Preview
The final reading in Bloodfeud opens with William securing his grip on northern England.
William also invades Scotland, forces the Scottish king to come to terms, and ends the threat of a
Scottish invasion for the time being. Fletcher then introduces you to Waltheof, earl of Bernicia
and a descendant of Uhtred. Waltheof perpetrates the last, violent act of the feud which started
our story by ordering the murder of Carl's sons.
Vocabulary: Look up the definition of two words from today's reading that you did not know.
Write out the words and their definitions below.
Identification: Briefly identify the persons or terms below with information from the reading.
Waltheof:
Questions
1. How was William's power consolidated in the north of England?
2. What kind of monasticism expanded into Northumbria in the wake of the revolts?
3. Whom did Waltheof marry? What was William trying to accomplish through this marriage?
4. What did Waltheof's decision not to kill the sons of Carl in person mean?
5. From which direction would it have been best for Waltheof's men to launch their surprise
attack on Carl's sons?
*Image on cover from http://hastings1066.com/bayeux31.shtml