In the Anglo-Saxon social order, which group served the king, collected taxes, and guarded the earls during tax collection?

• A. Theynes
• B. The King
• C. The Ceorls
• D. The Slaves

Answer: (A)

Thegns were the royal retainers who acted as local administrators and enforcers in Anglo-Saxon England. They held land from the king or from an earl and owed military service and duties in governance. When it came to taxes, thegns carried out the collection and ensured the process ran smoothly in the shires. They also guarded the earls during tax collection to protect the royal and noble interests and maintain order. This combination of serving the king, overseeing tax payments, and providing security at the local level fits perfectly with the group described. Ceorls were freemen who paid taxes but didn’t hold these administrative or protective duties, and slaves were not involved in administration or tax collection. The king himself isn’t the group described, since the question is about those who carried out the duties on his behalf.