Witan in the context of "Edgar Ætheling"

⭐ In the context of Edgar Ætheling’s claim to the throne, the Witan is considered…

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⭐ Core Definition: Witan

The witan (lit. 'wise men') was the king's council in the Anglo-Saxon government of England from before the 7th century until the 11th century. It comprised important noblemen, including ealdormen, thegns, and bishops. Meetings of the witan were sometimes called the witenagemot.

Its primary function was to advise the king on legislation, judicial cases, land transfers, and other matters of national importance. The witan may have elected new kings from among members of the ruling dynasty. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, these roles were performed by a similar council known as the curia regis.

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👉 Witan in the context of Edgar Ætheling

Edgar Ætheling or Edgar II (c. 1052 – 1125 or after) was the last male member of the royal house of Cerdic of Wessex. He was elected King of England by the Witan in 1066 but never crowned. After exile and war against the Normans, Edgar migrated to Norman Apulia (modern-day Italy) and possibly partook in the First Crusade (or, at least, made pilgrimage to Jerusalem following its conquest). In later life, Edgar was entangled in Norman dynastic struggles before retiring to a quiet life in the countryside.

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Witan in the context of Anglo-Saxon law

Anglo-Saxon law (Old English: ǣ, later lagu 'law'; dōm 'decree', 'judgement') was the legal system of Anglo-Saxon England from the 6th century until the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was a form of Germanic law based on unwritten custom known as folk-right and on written laws enacted by kings with the advice of their witan or council. By the later Anglo-Saxon period, a system of courts had developed to administer the law, while enforcement was the responsibility of ealdormen and royal officials such as sheriffs, in addition to self-policing (friborh) by local communities.

Originally, each Anglo-Saxon kingdom had its own laws. As a result of Viking invasions and settlement, the Danelaw followed Scandinavian laws. In the 10th century, a unified Kingdom of England was created with a single Anglo-Saxon government; however, different regions continued to follow their customary legal systems. The last Anglo-Saxon law codes were enacted in the early 11th century during the reign of Cnut the Great.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Edgar Ætheling ← Anglo-Saxon law
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Old English Hexateuch → Government in Anglo-Saxon England → British nobility → Ealdormen → Thegn → Bishop → Norman Conquest → Curia regis →