Fyrd - GCSE History Definition

In GCSE History, the Fyrd was a group of ordinary free men, like farmers or peasants, who were called up to fight in Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. When there was a threat, the king or local lord would order these men to defend their land. They had to bring their own weapons and only served for a short time. The Fyrd helped in battles like the Battle of Hastings, and they were a key part of the way Anglo-Saxon England organised its army. Understanding the Fyrd helps GCSE students see how military service, loyalty, and land ownership were connected in early medieval England, and how people were expected to defend their communities when needed.