Housecarl

A Housecarl (sometimes spelled Huscarl) was an Anglo-Saxon warrior who had sworn fealty to a lord. As vassals living in a noble's household, Housecarls were the standing fighters of Anglo-Saxon England, comparable to knights elsewhere in Europe.

They were required to have the best quality equipment and if they failed to do so they would be expelled from the Huscarls. They had additional duties acting in their lord's stead in a number of tasks.