Wulfwin, Son of Alfwin

Who was Wulfwin

Wulfwin, Son of Alfwin (also listed as Ulwine) was an Anglo Saxon lord (probably a Thegn) who disappears after the Norman conquest. In the Domesday book he is mentioned as the lord of among other places Hinckford Hundred. After William the Conqueror succeeded in his claim to the English throne, he awarded the lands to Aubrey De Vere (the first) There is little detail known about Wulfwin, which given the De Vere's prominent place in the history books is not unexpected. It is probably safe to assume that he was minor nobility, usually called a Thegn.

Thegns Explegned!

Thegn, (also spelt þegn, thane, and thayn) is a type of landowning lord inferior to the royal "Aethling" but superior to the "Ceorl" (churl)

Saxon Thegns usually fought on foot with a shield and spear or axe, the armour they wore would have varied with how much money they had but it is likely to have included a long maille shirt (made from X rings made from X, wedge riveted together) and a helmet, in the tapestry all the helmets appear to have large noseguards.

Anglo Saxon society appears to have been somewhat upwardly mobile as there is evidence that a ceorl could be come "Thegnworthy" and move into the class of Thegn. Particularly influential or powerful Thegns could in turn become Eorls if they were powerful enough.

A Thegn was worth 1200 shillings in "weregeld" meaning "man-money". This was effectively the amount of money that would be paid as a fine to the family when that person was killed or injured. Sort of like life insurance against blood feuds.