Word info

witenagemot

Noun

Meaning

(history, usually uncountable, sometimes countable) Any of several assemblies which existed in Anglo-Saxon England from the 7th to the 11th century, initially with regional jurisdiction (there being different ones in Essex, Kent, Mercia, Northumbria, Sussex and Wessex), later with national jurisdiction, made up of important noblemen.

(history, countable) A specific session of such an assembly.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Related terms

Examples

Barlow English Church 1000–1066 p. 62 He also introduced new practices into the liturgy, and was instrumental in the Witenagemot 's recognition of Wulfsige of Sherborne as a saint in about 1012. Source: Internet

Following Harold's death at the Battle of Hastings against the invading Normans in October, the Witenagemot assembled in London and elected Edgar king. Source: Internet

Origin It is generally accepted that the English witenagemot had its origins in ancient Germanic assemblies summoned to witness royal grants of land. Source: Internet

There was no single seat of a witenagemot, it being held where the king was, who typically had no single fixed court either. Source: Internet

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