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People went back to a farmer’s life ruled by the seasons. In the spring they would dig ditches and sow their crops. In the summer they would spread manure, shear the sheep, cut firewood ready for winter, fish and repair fences and walls. In the autumn they would gather in the crops, kill the animals they needed for winter food, cut hay to feed those animals they wished to keep alive and also cut reeds from nearby rivers to use to re-thatch their roofs. In winter they would plough some fields if the weather allowed, maybe prune the orchards but usually work inside making repairs to their homes and tools. Society had a definite structure. At the top was the king. He was essentially a war leader. He was expected to provide opportunities for plunder and glory for his followers. Next came the thanes. Below them came the ceorls. They were similar in rank to the thanes but did not own sufficient land. They might work for the thanes. Below this came the slaves. They not only did the work for those above them but were also a form of wealth. You could sell and buy slaves. You could also become a slave if you failed to pay a fine. Slavery was not always a lifetime sentence. A slave could be ransomed by his or her relatives or granted freedom in an owner's will. Much of the village life went on around the main hall.
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