The settlers established themselves in “an open meadow by the Tame” which they called “Tomworaig”. Nearby they established an “enclosed estate” called “Tomtun” - Tame-town - fortified with a palisade wall. These people called themselves the “Tomsaete”: Tame-settlers. Tomtun was initially “not much more than a fortified manor”. The settlement straddled the River Anker and contained a “large hall for public gatherings” as well as individual homes and agricultural buildings such as stables and granaries. The Lords of Tame-Settlers quickly became wealthy and Tamworth was thus able to be fortified further. The Tomsaete were a military tribe, however, when soldiers “reached the age of majority” they retired from military duty and were then allotted parcels of land to farm, manage and defend. Fertile lands surrounding the rivers allotted first, then the hill lands; this land spreading further and further, spreading the power and influence of the tribes. The Tomsaete were one of countless tribes “all vying for power and influence”, however the Lords of the Tomsaete came to control and to “dominate” the area known as English Midlands. The tribes initially ruled through unions and alliances of leading families and there is evidence of contact with families across England and also back in the Anglo-Saxon homelands. However, this “warlord” form of government developed and the Tomsaete’s lands became a Kingdom with a single leader. The Tomsaete lived in the heartland of Mercia, and Tamworth was the “royal centre” under King Penda. The King was not static and would not have a single residence; instead he travelled round his territories “to be seen by his people, to give legal judgments, to reward loyalty and to try offenders”. Tamworth however, was home to the King’s household and children.