Witenagemot

Witenagemot, group of counselors to the Anglo-Saxon king. Before the king's court (curia regis) was established by the Norman conquerors of England (1066), these men partook in decisions to make war, grant lands, make important appointments in the court or church, and so on. They even had the power to dethrone a king during conflicts involving various claims to the throne. Thanes, or followers, of the king along with earls, bishops, and abbots were members of the witenagemot, which in translation means “a meeting of wise men.”