What was the Fyrd?
Each area had to provide a particular number of warriors from amongst thel freemen. The number of warriors a theign or ealdorman had to provide depended on how much land he held. Theigns and ealdormen had to provide equipment and training for any men he sent to join the fyrd.
The fyrd could be called on by the king at any time but there were limits as to how long warriors would gather - they still needed to harvest their crops in summer! The fyrd provided England with a trained army but it was not a permanent army like we have today.