Chapter VI: The Witena Gemót (3)

EÁDUUINI OF NORTHUMBERLAND, A.D. 627.—The first witena gemót of which we have any detailed record was holden in 627, near the city of York, wherein no less important business was discussed than the desertion of Paganism and reception of Christianity, by the people of Northumberland. From Beda[595] we learn that this step was not ventured without the gravest deliberation; and that Eáduuini had taken good care to sound the most influential of his nobles, before he called a public meeting to decide upon the question. Indeed the parts in this great drama appear to have been arranged beforehand. The interesting account given by Beda[596] is to this effect. Eáduuini had determined to embrace Christianity, but still he was not contented, or would not venture, to do this alone. He wished to extend the blessings of the new faith to his subjects; perhaps also to avoid the difficulties which might result from his conversion, while the rest of the people remained pagans. To the exhortations of the missionary Paulinus he rejoined, “suscipere quidem se fidem quam docebat, et velle, et debere ... verum adhuc cum amicis, principibus et consiliariis suis, sese de hoc collaturum esse dicebat; ut si illi eadem cum illo sentire vellent, omnes pariter in fonte vitae Christo consecrarentur. Et annuente Paulino, fecit ut dixerat. Habito enim cum sapientibus consilio, sciscitabatur singillatim ab omnibus, qualis sibi doctrina haec eatenus inaudita, et novus divinitatis qui praedicabatur cultus videretur.” The chief of his priests, Cóefi, immediately commenced an attack upon the ancient religion, and was followed by other nobles, one of whose speeches, the earliest specimen of English parliamentary eloquence, is yet on record[597]. “His similia et caeteri maiores natu ac regis consiliarii, divinitus admoniti, prosequebantur.” Paulinus was now invited to expound at greater length the doctrines which he recommended. At the close of his address Cóefi declared himself a convert, and proposed the destruction of the ancient fanes. Eáduuini now professed himself a Christian, and in turn demanded whose duty it was to profane the pagan altars. This Cóefi at once assumed to himself, and taking the most conspicuous means to demonstrate to the people (who, the historian says, thought him mad,) his apostasy from the old creed, hurled his lance into the sacred enclosure, and commanded its immediate destruction. The scene of this daring act was Godmundingahám, not far from the British Delgovitia, and now Godmundham or Goodmanham. The king then as speedily as possible, “citato opere,” built a wooden basilica in the city of York, in which he was solemnly baptized on the twelfth of April, being Easter-day. And thus, says the historian, Eáduuini became a Christian, “cum cunctis gentis suae nobilibus ac plebe perplurima[598].”

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Footnote 595:

Ibid. ii. 9.

Footnote 596:

Ibid. ii. 13.

Footnote 597:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. ii. 13.

Footnote 598:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. ii. 14.

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WULFHARI OF MERCIA, A.D. 657.—In this year a witena gemót was probably held for the endowment and consecration of Saxwulf’s monastery at Peterborough. This the king is stated to have done by the advice, and with the consent, of all the witan of his kingdom, both clerical and lay[599]. The charter in the Saxon Chronicle is a late forgery, but throws no well-grounded doubt upon the fact.

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Footnote 599:

Chron. Sax. an. 657. Cod. Dipl. No. 984.

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ÓSUUIU OF NORTHUMBERLAND, A.D. 662.—A meeting was held this year at Streoneshalh, to bring about uniformity of Paschal observance, tonsure, and other ecclesiastical details. It was presided over by Osuuiu and Alhfrið[600].

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Footnote 600:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. iii. 25.

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ECGBERHT OF KENT, A.D. 667.—A gemót was probably held in Kent, and Wighard was elected archbishop of Canterbury[601].

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Footnote 601:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. iii. 29.

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ARCHBISHOP THEODORE, A.D. 673.—In this year was held the synod or gemót of Hertford[602]. Beda has preserved its ecclesiastical acts. The seventh provision is an important one, viz. that similar meetings should be held twice in every year. But this appearing inconvenient, it was agreed that there should be one, on the first of August yearly at Clofeshoas.

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Footnote 602:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. iv. 5. Chron. Sax. an. 673.

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ARCHBISHOP THEODORE, A.D. 680.—In this year was held the gemót at Hǽðfeld, in the presence of the kings of Northumberland, Mercia, Eastanglia and Kent. Its ecclesiastical acts are preserved[603]: they are particularly directed against the heresy of Eutyches. But there was a witena gemót at the same time probably to sanction the decision of the clergy.

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Footnote 603:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. iv. 17. Chron. Sax. an. 675, 680. Cod. Dipl. No.
991.

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ECGFRIÐ OF NORTHUMBERLAND, A.D. 684.—There was a gemót at Twyford, on the river Alne, and Cúðberht was elected bishop of Hexham[604].

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Footnote 604:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. iv. 28. Cod. Dipl. No. 25.

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ÆÐELRED OF MERCIA, A.D. 685.—A gemót was held on the thirtieth of July at Berhford, now Burford in Gloucestershire. Berhtwald the subregulus and Æðelred were probably both present[605].

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Footnote 605:

Cod. Dipl. No. 26.

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WIHTRAED OF KENT, A.D. 696.—Immediately upon Wihtraed’s accession[606] he held a great council, “mycel consilium,” or gemót of his witan, to settle the ecclesiastical and secular difficulties which had arisen during the civil wars of his predecessors and his own struggle for the throne. The gemót was held at Beorganstede, now Berstead in Kent. Its acts are extant in the laws which yet go under Wihtraed’s name[607]. Another gemót of Wihtraed’s, said by the Chronicle[608] to have been held in 694 at Baccanceld, now Bapchild, in Kent, confirmed the liberties of the Kentish clergy.

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Footnote 606:

The Saxon Chronicle, which often errs in its dates by two years, puts
this in 694. But the year 696 is ascertained by the indiction, which
was the ninth.

Footnote 607:

Thorpe, i. 36.

Footnote 608:

Chron. Sax. an. 694. Cod. Dipl. No. 996.

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INI OF WESSEX, A.D. 704.—A witena gemót was held by Ini at Eburleáh, in which, with the consent of his witan, he gave certain privileges to the monasteries of Wessex[609]. Its acts were signed by the principes, senatores, iudices and patricii present. We learn also from a charter of Aldhelm[610], that before 705, a council had been held upon the banks of the river Woder, which is possibly the “synodus suae gentis” mentioned by Beda[611].

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Footnote 609:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 50, 51.

Footnote 610:

Ibid. No. 54.

Footnote 611:

Hist. Eccl. v. 18.

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ÓSRAED OF NORTHUMBERLAND, A.D. 705.—Upon the death of Aldfrið in 705, a gemót was held upon the banks of the Nidd, and after long debates bishop Wilfrið was restored to his see and possessions[612].

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Footnote 612:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. v. 19.

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A.D. 710.—In this year a gemót appears to have been held, in which Sussex was erected into a separate see, and severed from the diocese of Winchester[613].

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Footnote 613:

Beda, Hist. Eccl. v. 18.

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ARCHBISHOP NÓÐHELM, A.D. 734-737.—Difficulties having arisen about the possession and patronage of certain monasteries, the case was referred to and decided by a synod, “sancta sacerdotalis concilii synodus,” which must have met between 734-737. It seems to have been purely ecclesiastical, and its acts are signed only by the bishops who were present[614]. Yet as its judgment involved a question of property, and title to lands, I presume that the case was laid before a mixed gemót, sitting very possibly in different chambers. If so, the record we have is that of the clerical house only.

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Footnote 614:

Cod. Dipl. No. 82.

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ÆÐELBALD OF MERCIA, A.D. 742.—In this year a great council, “magnum concilium,” was held at Clofeshoas, under Æðelbald, and Cúðbeorht, archbishop of Canterbury. It took into consideration the state of the church; but it was clearly a witena gemót, and its acts are signed by clerks and laymen indifferently[615].

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Footnote 615:

Cod. Dipl. No. 87.

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ÆÐELBALD OF MERCIA, A.D. 749.—A witena gemót was held at Godmundes leáh in this year. Ecclesiastical liberties were again provided for[616].

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Footnote 616:

Cod. Dipl. No. 99.

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A.D. 755.—A witena gemót in Wessex must have been held in this year, for the deposing of Sigebeorht and election of Cynewulf to the throne[617].

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Footnote 617:

Chron. Sax. an. 755. Flor. Wig. 755. Æðelw. ii. 17. Hen. Hunt. lib.
iv. See the remarks in the text, p. 219 _seq._ of this volume.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 780.—A gemót called “synodale conciliabulum” was held this year at Brentford. It transacted various business of a secular character[618].

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Footnote 618:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 139, 140, 143.

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A.D. 782.—A gemót was held at Acleáh, now Ockley in Surrey[619].

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Footnote 619:

Chron. Sax. an. 782.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 785.—In this year was held the stormy synod of Cealchýð, in which the province of Canterbury was partitioned; and the archbishopric of Lichfield founded[620]. It was clearly a witena gemót; as Offa caused his son Ecgferhð to be elected king by the meeting.

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Footnote 620:

Chron. Sax. an. 785. Flor. Wig. 785.

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A.D. 787.—In this year there was another gemót; “synodalis conventus,” at Ockley[621].

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Footnote 621:

Cod. Dipl. No. 151.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 788.—A gemót was held at Cealchýð[622]. And in the same year; according to the Chronicle and Florence[623]; but one year sooner according to Simeon Dunelmensis[624], was held the synod of Pincanhealh in Northumberland.

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Footnote 622:

Cod. Dipl. No. 153.

Footnote 623:

Chron. Sax. an. 788. Flor. Wig. 788.

Footnote 624:

Sim. Dunelm. 787.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 789.—In this year another gemót was held at Cealchýð, where a good deal of secular business was transacted[625]. In the second document cited in the note it is called “pontificale conciliabulum,” and this charter is signed only by the king and the bishops.

Another gemót is also said to have been held at Ockley[626]; but the known error of two years in the dates of the Chronicle may make us suspect that this really met in 791.

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Footnote 625:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 155, 156, 157.

Footnote 626:

Chron. Sax. an. 789.

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OFFA OF MERCIA; A.D. 790.—A great gemót was held this year in London; on Whitsunday[627].

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Footnote 627:

Cod. Dipl. No. 159.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 793.—A gemót at Cealchýð, called “conventus synodalis”[628]. Also about this time a gemót at Verulam, “concilium episcoporum et optimatum,”[629]

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Footnote 628:

Cod. Dipl. No. 162.

Footnote 629:

Rog. Wend. i. 257.

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OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 794.—A gemót at Clofeshoas, called “synodus,” and “concilium synodale”[630].

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Footnote 630:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 164, 167.

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ECGFERHÐ OF MERCIA, A.D. 796.—A gemót at Cealchýð, called probably in consequence of Offa’s death, and for reformation of affairs in the church[631].

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Footnote 631:

Chron. Sax. an. 796. Cod. Dipl. Nos. 172, 173.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 798.—A gemót, called “synodus,” the place of which is not known. The business recorded is merely secular[632]. Before the signatures occur the words: “Haec sunt nomina episcoporum ac principum qui hoc mecum in synodo consentientes subscripserunt.” The signatures comprise the names of several laics,—a plain proof that the word _synodus_ is not confined to ecclesiastical meetings. Another, or perhaps the same, at Baccanceld, Bapchild, in Kent, where the clergy made a declaration of liberties[633]. Another and very solemn one at Clofeshoas[634].

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Footnote 632:

Cod. Dipl. No. 175.

Footnote 633:

Ibid. No. 1018.

Footnote 634:

Ibid. No. 1019.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 799.—A gemót of the witan was held this year at Colleshyl, probably Coleshill in Berkshire[635].

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Footnote 635:

Ibid. No. 176.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 799-802.—Between these two years there was a gemót, called “synodale conciliabulum,” at Cealchýð, in which secular business was transacted. The signature of the king to one of its acts is double; first at the head of the clergy, and then again at the head of the lay nobles[636].

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Footnote 636:

Ibid. No. 116. Another act, Ibid. No. 1023.

CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 803.—In the year 803 was held a memorable synod at Clofeshoas, which lasted from the ninth till the twelfth of October. Affairs of great importance were discussed. The principal object of the meeting was to restore the ancient splendour of Canterbury by the abrogation of the archiepiscopal see at Lichfield, and further to secure the liberties of the church. We have two solemn acts, dated on the twelfth of October[637]: the signatures are exclusively those of clerics. The second of those documents deserves the highest attention, as the signatures may be taken to represent the members of a full convocation of the clergy, called for a most important purpose. But it is nevertheless certain that a general meeting of the witan took place at the same time, for on the sixth of October they heard and determined causes relating to landed property, and various laymen signed the acts[638]. Moreover an archbishopric established by a witena gemót could only be abrogated by another,—not by a mere assemblage of clergymen, however dignified and influential they might be.

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Footnote 637:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 185, 1024.

Footnote 638:

Ibid. Nos. 183, 184.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 804.—There was a “synodus” in this year at Clofeshoas, the nature of the business transacted in which and before whom transacted, appears from these words following[639]:—“Anno ab incarnatione Christi 804, indictione duodecima, ego Æðelríc filius Æðelmundi cum conscientia synodali invitatus ad synodum, et in iudicio stare, in loco qui dicitur Clofeshoh, cum libris et ruris, id est, æt Westmynster, quod prius propinqui mei tradiderunt mihi et donaverunt, ibi Æðelheardus archiepiscopus mihi regebat atque iudicaverat, cum testimonio Coenwulfi regis, et optimatibus eius, coram omni synodo, quando scripturas meas perscrutarent, ut liber essem terram meam atque libellos dare quocumque volui.” He had been regularly summoned to appear before the synodus, as a court of justice.

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Footnote 639:

Cod. Dipl. No. 186.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 805.—A witena gemót was held at Ockley, a favourite locality[640].

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Footnote 640:

Cod. Dipl. No. 190.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 810.—Another gemót, “sancta synodus,” sat at Ockley, and decided a lawsuit between Æðelhelm, and Beornðryð, the widow of Óswulf, duke of Kent[641].

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Footnote 641:

Ibid. No. 256.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 811.—A great gemót, “concilium pergrande,” was held this year in London[642]. In the same year a great gemót was collected at Wincelcumbe, Winchcomb in Gloucestershire, for the dedication of Cénwulf’s new abbey there[643].

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Footnote 642:

Ibid. Nos. 196, 220.

Footnote 643:

Ibid. No. 197. Chron. MS. Wincelc. an. 811.

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CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 815.—In this year a gemót assembled at Cealchýð[644].

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Footnote 644:

Cod. Dipl. No. 208.

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BEORNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 824.—At a meeting held this year at Clofeshoas, there attended a considerable number of laymen, as well as prelates: the gemót however is called “pontificate et synodale conciliabulum[645].” In 824 there was also a gemót of Wessex at Ockley in Surrey. Ecgberht gave Meon to Wulfward his praefectus or geréfa. The act is signed by four geréfan[646].

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Footnote 645:

Ibid. No. 218.

Footnote 646:

Ibid. No. 1031.

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BEORNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 825.—A gemót was held also at Clofeshoas in 825; this is called “sionoðlíc gemót”[647], and it is stated that there were assembled the bishops, ealdormen, and all the weotan of the nation: one act of this gemót[648] declares it to have consisted of the king, bishops, abbots, dukes, “omniumque dignitatum optimates, aecclesiasticarum vel saecularium personarum[649].” The acts of this council are signed by no less than one hundred and twenty-one persons, of whom ninety-five are clerical, embracing all ranks from bishops to deacons. But one reason for this large attendance is, that as some cases of disputed title were to be decided by the gemót, these monks and clerks attended in order to make oath to the property in dispute.

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Footnote 647:

Ibid. No. 219.

Footnote 648:

Ibid. No. 220: see also No. 1034.

Footnote 649:

In some Saxon original, no doubt, “and eal dúgoð, ge cyriclíces ge
woroldlíces hádes.”

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ECGBERHT OF WESSEX, A.D. 826.—In 825 Ecgberht had taken the field against the Welsh. He seems to have made various grants while _in hoste_. These were afterwards confirmed and reduced to writing by a gemót held in 826 at Southampton[650].

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Footnote 650:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 1035, 1036, 1038.

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ECGBERHT OF WESSEX and ÆÐELWULF OF KENT, A.D. 838.—In this year there was a council at Kingston, under these kings, Ceólnóð the archbishop, and the prelates of his province. Secular affairs of great importance were settled on this occasion, and a regular treaty of peace and alliance agreed between the Kentish clergy and the kings[651]. At first this was signed only by Ceólnóð and the clergy; but for further confirmation it was taken to king Æðelwulf at the royal vill of Wilton, and there executed by the king, his dukes and thanes. Another document exists in which the clergy of Winchester enter into similar engagements with the kings[652].

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Footnote 651:

Ibid. No. 240.

Footnote 652:

Ibid. No. 1044.

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ÆÐELWULF OF WESSEX, A.D. 839.—The treaty mentioned in the last article was read in a council of all the southern bishops, held at Astra[653].

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Footnote 653:

Ibid. No. 240.

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ÆÐELWULF OF WESSEX, ÆÐELSTÁN OF KENT, A.D. 844.—A gemót at Canterbury, attended by the kings, the archbishop, the bishop elect of Rochester, “cum principibus, ducibus, abbatibus, et cunctis generalis dignitatis optimatibus[654].”

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Footnote 654:

Ibid. No. 256.

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ÆÐELWULF OF WESSEX, A.D. 851.—The very questionable authority of Ingulph mentions a witena gemót this year at Cyningesbyrig[655].

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Footnote 655:

Cod. Dipl. No. 265.

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BURHHRED OF MERCIA, A.D. 853.—This year, the Chronicle says[656], a formal application was made by the Mercian king Burhhred and his witan for military aid, in order to the subjugation of the Northern Britons. This seems to imply a regular meeting in Mercia.

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Footnote 656:

Chron. Sax. an. 853.

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ÆÐELWULF OF WESSEX, A.D. 855.—In this year there was a gemót at Winchester[657].

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Footnote 657:

Cod. Dipl. No. 275.

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BURHHRED OF MERCIA, A.D. 868.—In this year the Mercian witan applied to those of Wessex for aid against the Danes. We may conclude that gemóts were held both in Mercia and Wessex[658].

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Footnote 658:

Chron. Sax. an. 868.

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A.D. 866-871.—We learn from king Ælfred himself that there was a witena gemót at Swínbeorh in some year between these limits, wherein the successions to lands, among the members of the royal family, were settled, and placed under the guarantee of the witan[659].

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Footnote 659:

Cod. Dipl. No. 314.

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ÆLFRED OF WESSEX, A.D. 878.—In this year there was a gemót, very probably at Wedmore[660], where the Dane Guðorm made his submission to Ælfred, and where the articles of peace between the Saxons and Danes were settled[661].

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Footnote 660:

Chron. Sax. an. 878. Flor. Wig. 878.

Footnote 661:

Thorpe, i. 152 _seq._

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ÆLFRED OF WESSEX, A.D. 880-885.—A gemót sat at Langandene between these two years, and the affairs of Ælfred’s family were again considered. The validity of king Æðelwulf’s will was admitted, and Ælfred’s settlement of his lands guaranteed[659].

ÆÐELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, A.D. 883.—In this year the witan of Mercia met at Risborough, under Æðelred their duke[662]: an interesting circumstance, inasmuch as it shows that the union with Wessex did not abrogate the ancient rights, or interfere with the independent action of the Mercian witan.

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Footnote 662:

Cod. Dipl. No. 1066.

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ÆÐELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, A.D. 888.—This gemót was held at Saltwíc in Worcestershire, to consult upon affairs both ecclesiastical and secular. The witan assembled from far and near[663].

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Footnote 663:

Ibid. Nos. 327, 1068.

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ÆÐELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, A.D. 896.—Another gemót of the Mercians was held this year at Gloucester, whose interesting acts are yet preserved[664].

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Footnote 664:

Ibid. No. 1073.

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ÆÐELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, A.D. 878-899.—At a gemót held between these years, and very likely at Worcester, Æðelred and Æðelflǽd commanded a burh or fortification to be built for the people of that city, and the cathedral to be enlarged. The endowments and privileges which are granted by the instrument are extensive and instructive[665].

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Footnote 665:

Ibid. No. 1075.

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EÁDWEARD OF WESSEX, A.D. 901.—The death of Ælfred, and Eádweard’s election probably caused an assembly of witan at Winchester in this year[666], and it is likely that we still possess one of its acts[667]. This is the more probable because Æðelwald, Eádweard’s cousin, disputed the succession, and not only seized upon the royal vill of Wimborne, which he is said to have done without the consent of the king and his witan, but broke into open rebellion, and after being acknowledged king in Essex, joined the Danes in Northumberland, and perished in an unsuccessful battle against his countrymen.

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Footnote 666:

Chron. Sax. an. 901.

Footnote 667:

Cod. Dipl. No. 1087.

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ÆÐELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, A.D. 904.—In this year a Mercian gemót was held, and duke Æðelfrið obtained permission to have new charters written, his own having perished by fire[668]. And a gemót of the Westsaxon witan was held at the king’s hunting-seat of Bicanleáh[669]. About the same period a gemót of Wessex was held at Exeter by Eádweard[670].

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Footnote 668:

Cod. Dipl. No. 338.

Footnote 669:

Ibid. Nos. 1082, 1084.

Footnote 670:

Leg. Eádw. § 4. Thorpe, i. 162.

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EÁDWEARD OF WESSEX, A.D. 909.—A gemót of Wessex was held in 909: its acts are signed by fifty of the witan[671].

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Footnote 671:

Cod. Dipl. No. 1091.

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EÁDWEARD OF WESSEX, A.D. 910.—A gemót was held in Wessex this year[672]. And there appears to have been another at Aylesford in Kent, in which the witan gave judgment in the suit between Góda and queen Eádgyfu[673].

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Footnote 672:

Ibid. No. 1096.

Footnote 673:

Ibid. No. 499.

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EÁDWEARD OF WESSEX, A.D. 911.—In this year a gemót was probably held, in which terms of peace were offered to the Danes in Northumberland[674]. But this may possibly be only the last-named gemót in 910, as we know that Eádweard was in Kent in 911.

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Footnote 674:

Chron. Sax. an. 911.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 925 or 926.—About this date a gemót was held by Æðelstán at Ham near Lewes, and the suit between Góda and Eádgyfu was again decided by public authority[675].

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Footnote 675:

Cod. Dipl. No. 499.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 928.—A solemn gemót was held this year at Exeter[676].

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Footnote 676:

Ibid. No. 1101.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 930.—In this year the gemót met at Nottingham. It was attended by three Welsh princes, the archbishops and sixteen bishops, thirteen dukes, twelve thanes, twelve untitled persons, “et plures alii milites quorum nomina in eadem carta inseruntur.” There are fifty-eight signatures[677].

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Footnote 677:

Ibid. No. 352.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 931.—In this year several gemóts were held. First, one at Luton in Bedfordshire, signed by 106 persons[678]. One at Worðig, “cum tota plebis generalitate[679].” One at Colchester[680], and one at Wellow in Wilts[681].

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Footnote 678:

Cod. Dipl. No. 353.

Footnote 679:

Ibid. No. 1103.

Footnote 680:

Ibid. No. 1102.

Footnote 681:

Ibid. No. 1105.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 932.—There was a gemót at Amesbury, said to be attended by the dukes, bishops, abbots and “patriae procuratores”[682]. Also one at Middleton, in which the same words occur: the signatures amount to ninety, and comprise four Welsh princes, nineteen archbishops and bishops, fifteen dukes, four abbots, and forty-seven ministri or thanes[683].

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Footnote 682:

Ibid. No. 361.

Footnote 683:

Ibid. Nos. 1107, 1108.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 934.—A gemót was held in London on the seventh of June[684]; but on the twenty-eighth of May there was a great meeting at Winchester, “tota populi generalitate.” The total number of names is ninety-two[685]. Again on the twelfth of September, the king was at Buckingham, and there held a gemót, “tota magnatorum generalitate[686].”

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Footnote 684:

Ibid. No. 361.

Footnote 685:

Ibid. No. 364.

Footnote 686:

Ibid. No. 365.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 935.—On the twenty-first of September in this year there was a gemót at Dorchester, “tota optimatum generalitate[687],”

-----

Footnote 687:

Ibid. Nos. 367, 1112.

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ÆÐELSTÁN, A.D. 937.—A gemót was held, “archiepiscopis, episcopis, ducibus et principibus Anglorum insimul pro regni utilitate coadunatis[688].”

-----

Footnote 688:

Ibid. No. 1113.

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An undated charter of Æðelstán[689] records a meeting of witan at Abingdon: a grant was made to the abbey. The archbishop, bishops and abbots present solemnly excommunicated any one who should disturb the grant; to which all the people present exclaimed, “So be it! Amen.” “Et dixit omnis populus qui ibi aderat, Fiat, Fiat. Amen.” “And cwæð ealle ðæt folc ðe ðǽr embstód, Sy hit swá. Amen. Amen.”

-----

Footnote 689:

Ibid. No. 1129.

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Gemóts of Æðelstán’s, the dates of which are uncertain, were held at Witlanburh[690], Greátanleá[691], Fevershám[692], Thundersfield[693], and Exeter[694].

-----

Footnote 690:

Thorpe, i. 240.

Footnote 691:

Ibid. i. 194.

Footnote 692:

Thorpe, i. 216.

Footnote 693:

Ibid. i. 217.

Footnote 694:

Ibid. i. 220. This however may have been in 926, when Æðelstán was in
that city.

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EÁDMUND, before A.D. 946.—This prince held at least two gemóts, one at London, one at Culintún, but in what years is uncertain[695].

-----

Footnote 695:

Leg. Eádm. Thorpe, i. 244, 252.

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EÁDRED, A.D. 946.—This year there was a gemót at Kingston, and king Eádred was crowned[696].

-----

Footnote 696:

Cod. Dipl. No. 411.

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EÁDRED, A.D. 947.—In this year there was at least one witena gemót, in which the terms of peace with the Northumbrian witan were arranged[697]. There were others also in Mercia, and I have little doubt that all the charters bearing that date in the Codex Diplomaticus are really acts of such meetings.

-----

Footnote 697:

Chron. Sax. an. 947.

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EÁDRED, A.D. 948.—In this year the witan of Northumberland having elected a king Eirik, Eádred marched into their country and plundered it; upon which they again made a formal submission to him[698].

-----

Footnote 698:

Chron. Sax. an. 948.

-----

Between 960-963.—In one of these years a gemót was held, but the place is unknown, and Eádgyfu ultimately succeeded in putting an end to the pretensions of Goda’s family[699].

-----

Footnote 699:

Cod. Dipl. No. 499.

-----

EÁDGÁR, A.D. 966.—A gemót in London[700].

-----

Footnote 700:

Ibid. No. 528.

-----

EÁDGÁR, A.D. 968.—A gemót was held at some place unknown[701].

-----

Footnote 701:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 1265, 1266.

-----

EÁDGÁR, A.D. 973.—A great gemót was held in St. Paul’s church, London[702].

-----

Footnote 702:

Ibid. No. 580.

-----

EÁDGÁR, A.D. 977.—After Easter (April 8th), there was held a great gemót, “ðæt mycele gemót,” at Kirtlington in Oxfordshire[703].

-----

Footnote 703:

Chron. Sax. an. 977.

-----

EÁDGÁR, A.D. 978.—In this year was held the celebrated gemót at Calne in Wiltshire, when the floor gave way and precipitated the witan to the ground[704]. There was another gemót at Ceodre, now Cheddar in Somersetshire[705].

-----

Footnote 704:

Ibid. an. 978.

Footnote 705:

Cod. Dipl. No. 598.

-----

In addition to these Eádgár held at least two gemóts, one at Andover in Hants, one at a place called Wihtbordesstán, which we cannot now identify. In both of these meetings laws were passed[706].

-----

Footnote 706:

Thorpe, i. 272.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 979.—A gemót was held at Kingston for the coronation of Æðelred[707].

-----

Footnote 707:

Chron. Sax. an. 979.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 992.—In this year there were probably several witena gemóts for the prosecution of the Danish war[708].

-----

Footnote 708:

Ibid. an. 992.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 993.—In this year there was at least one gemót at Winchester[709].

-----

Footnote 709:

Cod. Dipl. No. 684.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 994.—A witena gemót met this year at Andover[710].

-----

Footnote 710:

Chron. Sax. an. 994. Ll. Æðelr. 11. Thorpe, i. 284.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 995.—A gemót at Ambresbyrig, now Amesbury, where Ælfríc was elected archbishop of Canterbury in the place of Sigeríc[711]. There seems to have been another meeting in the same year, one of whose acts we still possess[712].

-----

Footnote 711:

Chron. Sax. an. 995.

Footnote 712:

Cod. Dipl. No. 692.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 996.—In this year a gemót was held at Cealchýð[713].

Footnote 713:

Ibid. No. 696.

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 997.—This year a gemót was held in the palace at Calne: “collecta haud minima sapientium multitudine, in aula villae regiae quae nuncupative a populis Et Calnæ vocitatur[714].” A few days later we find the gemót assembled at Waneting or Wantage; and here they promulgated laws which we yet possess[715]. There is a charter also, passed at this gemót[716]. A previous gemót of uncertain year had been held at Brómdún[717], and another at Woodstock[718].

-----

Footnote 714:

Ibid. No. 698.

Footnote 715:

Thorpe, i. 292.

Footnote 716:

Cod. Dipl. No. 698.

Footnote 717:

Thorpe, i. 280, 294.

Footnote 718:

Ibid. i. 280.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 998.—A gemót was held this year in London[719]; and another apparently at Andover[720], where conditions of peace were ratified with Anláf or Olaf Tryggvason[721].

-----

Footnote 719:

Cod. Dipl. No. 702.

Footnote 720:

Chron. Sax. an. 998.

Footnote 721:

Thorpe, i. 284.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 999.—At least one gemót was held this year, to concert measures of defence against the Danes[722].

-----

Footnote 722:

Chron. Sax. an. 999.

-----

A.D. 996-1001.—Between these years there was a gemót at Cócham, now Cookham in Berks, which was attended by a large assemblage of thanes from Wessex and Mercia, both of Saxon and Danish descent[723].

-----

Footnote 723:

Cod. Dipl. No. 704.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1002.—In this year the witan met and paid tribute to the Danes[724]. We have still an evident act of such a gemót in this year[725].

-----

Footnote 724:

Chron. Sax. an. 1002

Footnote 725:

Cod. Dipl. No. 707.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1004.—In this year a meeting of the Eastanglian witan, under earl Ulfcytel, took place. From the description I do not think it could have been an ordinary scírgemót. It shows, at any rate, that the witan were resident in the shires, and not permanently attached to the royal person or household[726].

-----

Footnote 726:

Chron. Sax. an. 1004.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1006.—Another gemót was held this year, somewhere in Shropshire, for the melancholy and shameful purpose of buying peace from the Danes[727].

-----

Footnote 727:

Ibid. an. 1006.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1008.—A gemót was held, one of whose acts we have still[728].

-----

Footnote 728:

Cod. Dipl. No. 1305.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1009.—In this year we are told that the king and his heáhwitan met; but the place is unknown[729].

-----

Footnote 729:

Chron. Sax. an. 1009.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1010.—In this year a gemót was proclaimed, to concert measures of defence against the Danes[730]. “Ðonne beád man eallan witan tó cynge, and man sceólde ðonne rǽdan hú man ðisne eard werian sceólde.”

-----

Footnote 730:

Chron. Sax. an. 1010.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1011.—A gemót was again held for the shameful purpose of buying peace[731].

-----

Footnote 731:

Ibid. an. 1011.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1012.—At Easter (April 13th) there was a great meeting at London, and tribute was paid to the Danes[732].

-----

Footnote 732:

Ibid. an. 1012.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1014.—In this year was holden that important gemót, perhaps we might say convention, which has been mentioned in the text; when the witan, upon the death of Swegen, consented again to receive Æðelred as king, upon promises of amendment[733].

-----

Footnote 733:

Ibid. an. 1014.

-----

ÆÐELRED, A.D. 1015.—In this year was the great gemót of Oxford, “ðæt mycel gemót,” and Sigeferð and Morcar the powerful earls of the north were slain[734].

-----

Footnote 734:

Chron. Sax. an. 1015.

-----

It is uncertain in what years we must place the promulgation of Æðelred’s laws[735], at Enham, and Haba[736]; and others without date or place.

-----

Footnote 735:

Thorpe, i. 314.

Footnote 736:

Thorpe, i. 366.

-----

EÁDMUND ÍRENSÍDA, A.D. 1016.—In this year there must have been various meetings of the witan, if tumultuous and armed assemblages can claim the name of witena gemóts at all. The witan in London elected Eádmund king; and there was a meeting at Olney, near Deerhurst, where the kingdom was partitioned[737].

-----

Footnote 737:

Chron. Sax. an. 1016.

-----

A.D. 1016-1020.—Probably between these years was the great gemót at Winchester, in which Cnut promulgated his laws[738].

-----

Footnote 738:

Thorpe, i. 358.

-----

CNUT, A.D. 1020.—In this year was a great gemót at Cirencester[739].

-----

Footnote 739:

Chron. Sax. an. 1020.

-----

HARALD HARANFOT, A.D. 1036.—Upon the death of Cnut, there was a gemót at Oxford, and Harald was elected king[740].

-----

Footnote 740:

Chron. Sax. an. 1036.

-----

HARDACNUT, A.D. 1042.—In this year there was probably a gemót at Sutton[741]. And another on Hardacnut’s death, when all the people chose Eádweard the Confessor to be king[742].

-----

Footnote 741:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 765, 766.

Footnote 742:

Chron. Sax. an. 1042. At Gillingham. Will. Malm. i. 332, § 197. “Nihil
erat quod Edwardus pro necessitate temporis non polliceretur, ita,
utrinque fide data, quicquid petebatur sacramento firmavit. Nec mora
Gillingcham congregato concilio, rationibus suis explicitis, regem
effecit (Godwinus) hominio palam omnibus dato: homo affectati leporis,
et ingenue gentilitia lingua eloquens, mirus dicere, mirus populo
persuadere quae placerent. Quidam auctoritatem eius secuti, quidam
muneribus flexi, quidam etiam debitum Edwardi amplexi.”

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1043.—A witena gemót was held at Winchester, April 3rd, and Eádweard was crowned[743].

-----

Footnote 743:

Chron. Sax. an. 1043.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1044.—There was a gemót, “generale concilium,” in London; the only business recorded is the election of Manni, abbot of Evesham[744]; but there is a charter[745].

-----

Footnote 744:

Flor. Wig. an. 1044.

Footnote 745:

Cod. Dipl. Nos. 776, 777.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1045.—There seems to have been a gemót this year[746].

-----

Footnote 746:

Ibid. Nos. 779, 783.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1046.—A gemót, the place of which is unknown[747].

-----

Footnote 747:

Ibid. No. 786.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1047.—On the 10th of March this year there was “mycel gemót” in London[748].

-----

Footnote 748:

Chron. Sax. an. 1047.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1048.—A gemót sat on the 8th of September at Gloucester[749]; and on the 21st of September, another met in London, and outlawed the family of earl Godwine.

-----

Footnote 749:

Chron. Sax. an. 1048.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1050.—There was a great gemót in London[750].

-----

Footnote 750:

Ibid. an. 1050.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1052, 1053.—A gemót, place unknown[751].

-----

Footnote 751:

Cod. Dipl. No. 799.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1055.—A gemót in London[752].

-----

Footnote 752:

Chron. Sax. an. 1055.

-----

EÁDWEARD, A.D. 1065.—There was a great gemót at Northampton[753], Another was held at Oxford on the 28th of October[753], and lastly at Christmas in London[753]. At this Eádweard dedicated Westminster Abbey, and dying on the 5th of January, 1066, the assembled witan elected Harald king.

-----

Footnote 753:

Ibid. an. 1065.

-----

Having now completed this list, which must be confessed to be but an imperfect one, I do not scruple to express my belief that every charter in the Codex Diplomaticus, which is not merely a private will or private settlement, is the genuine act of some witena gemót: and that we thus possess a long and interesting series of records, enabling us to follow the action of the Saxon Parliaments from the very cradle of our monarchy.