A Short History of the Middle Ages Fourth Edition

Figure 2.2: Yeavering, Northumberland. Strategically situated near the eastern coast of England, the “royal
palace” at Yeavering boasted a fort (A), an amphitheater where the court assembled (E), and a great hall (B).
Smaller buildings included a simple dwelling (G) and perhaps a temple (F). At (C) was a fenced-in
courtyard.

Most such farmsteads—each held by a family—were built in clusters of four to

five, making up tiny hamlets. Peasants planted their fields with barley (used to make