Answer: Life was more dangerous in Anglo-Saxon England than in modern times; and in addition to the hazards of war, feud, and capital punishment, Anglo-Saxons could be at risk from famine and epidemics, as well as from a range of endemic diseases including degenerative arthritis, leprosy and tuberculosis. Anglo-Saxon law ruled that some crimes were punishable by being made a slave. The king's most important tasks were to defend his country from attack, to pass good laws and to make sure the laws were obeyed. He also had power over the Church.