Witenagemot, << WIHT uh nuh guh `moht` or WIHT uh nuh yuh `moht` >>, means a meeting of the witan (or wise men) of Anglo-Saxon England. The witan were royal counselors, including bishops, abbots, earls, and thanes, or followers, who held important offices in the royal household or in local government. The king could summon anyone he wished to attend the witenagemot.
In early Anglo-Saxon history, the witan could dethrone a king or choose a new king in a disputed succession. But their role was more restricted during the 900’s and 1000’s. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, the king consulted his witan before taking important steps. He might seek their advice, for example, before issuing laws, granting lands, making war or peace, appointing bishops or earls, or deciding important lawsuits. The Normans who invaded England in 1066 had a similar institution, the curia ducis (duke’s court). After 1066, the curia ducis and the witenagemot merged to form the curia regis (king’s court).
