Which class in Anglo-Saxon society were free peasants who could own a small plot of land?

• A. Ceorls
• B. Slaves
• C. Peasants
• D. Theynes

Answer: (A)

In Anglo-Saxon England, there were free men who could own land and work it for themselves. The term for these free peasants who could hold a small plot of land is ceorls. They were not slaves, so they had legal rights and could farm their own small parcels, marry, enter contracts, and participate in local life, though they owed services and payments to a local lord and might serve in the militia. The other options don’t fit: slaves were unfree and could not own land; theynes (thegns) were higher-status landowners with more power and larger estates; and a broad label like peasants is too vague and could imply unfree status as well. So the description matches ceorls.