THE WITENA GEMÓTS OF THE SAXONS.
ÆÃELBERT OF KENT,A.D.596-605.—The promulgation of the laws of Æðelberht took place during the life of Augustine. This fixes their date between 596, when he arrived in England, and 605, when he died. Beda tells us that these laws were enacted by the advice of the witan, “cum consilio sapientium[594].†We may therefore conclude that agemótwas held in Kent for the purpose: and from the contents of the laws themselves, it is obvious that the Roman clergy filled an important place therein. They had probably stepped into the position of the Pagan priesthood, and improved it.
EÃDUUINI OF NORTHUMBERLAND,A.D.627.—The firstwitena gemótof 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 hissubjects; 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, Eáduuinibecame a Christian, “cum cunctis gentis suae nobilibus ac plebe perplurima[598].â€
WULFHARI OF MERCIA,A.D.657.—In this year awitena gemótwas 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.
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].
ECGBERHT OF KENT,A.D.667.—Agemótwas probably held in Kent, and Wighard was elected archbishop of Canterbury[601].
ARCHBISHOP THEODORE,A.D.673.—In this year was held the synod orgemótof 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.
ARCHBISHOP THEODORE,A.D.680.—In this year was held thegemótat 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. Butthere was awitena gemótat the same time probably to sanction the decision of the clergy.
ECGFRIà OF NORTHUMBERLAND,A.D.684.—There was agemótat Twyford, on the river Alne, and Cúðberht was elected bishop of Hexham[604].
ÆÃELRED OF MERCIA,A.D.685.—Agemótwas held on the thirtieth of July at Berhford, now Burford in Gloucestershire. Berhtwald the subregulus and Æðelred were probably both present[605].
WIHTRAED OF KENT,A.D.696.—Immediately upon Wihtraed’s accession[606]he held a great council, “mycel consilium,†orgemótof 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. Thegemótwas held at Beorganstede, now Berstead in Kent. Its acts are extant in the laws which yet go under Wihtraed’s name[607]. Anothergemótof 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.
INI OF WESSEX,A.D.704.—Awitena gemótwas 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].
ÓSRAED OF NORTHUMBERLAND,A.D.705.—Upon the death of Aldfrið in 705, agemótwas held upon the banks of the Nidd, and after long debates bishop Wilfrið was restored to his see and possessions[612].
A.D.710.—In this year agemótappears to have been held, in which Sussex was erected into a separate see, and severed from the diocese of Winchester[613].
ARCHBISHOP NÓÃHELM,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.
ÆÃELBALD 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 awitena gemót, and its acts are signed by clerks and laymen indifferently[615].
ÆÃELBALD OF MERCIA,A.D.749.—A witenagemótwas held at Godmundes leáh in this year. Ecclesiastical liberties were again provided for[616].
A.D.755.—Awitena gemótin Wessex must have been held in this year, for the deposing of Sigebeorht and election of Cynewulf to the throne[617].
OFFA OF MERCIA,A.D.780.—Agemótcalled “synodale conciliabulum†was held this year at Brentford. It transacted various business of a secular character[618].
A.D.782.—Agemótwas held at Acleáh, now Ockley in Surrey[619].
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 awitena gemót; as Offa caused his son Ecgferhð to be elected king by the meeting.
A.D.787.—In this year there was anothergemót; “synodalis conventus,†at Ockley[621].
OFFA OF MERCIA,A.D.788.—Agemótwas 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.
OFFA OF MERCIA,A.D.789.—In this year anothergemótwas 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.
Anothergemótis 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.
OFFA OF MERCIA;A.D.790.—A greatgemótwas held this year in London; on Whitsunday[627].
OFFA OF MERCIA,A.D.793.—Agemótat Cealchýð, called “conventus synodalisâ€[628]. Also about this time agemótat Verulam, “concilium episcoporum et optimatum,â€[629]
OFFA OF MERCIA,A.D.794.—Agemótat Clofeshoas, called “synodus,†and “concilium synodaleâ€[630].
ECGFERHà OF MERCIA,A.D.796.—Agemótat Cealchýð, called probably in consequence of Offa’s death, and for reformation of affairs in the church[631].
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 wordsynodusis 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].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.799.—Agemótof the witan was held this year at Colleshyl, probably Coleshill in Berkshire[635].
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].
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 awitena gemótcould only be abrogated by another,—not by a mere assemblage of clergymen, however dignified and influential they might be.
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 ÆðelrÃc 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.†Hehad been regularly summoned to appear before the synodus, as a court of justice.
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.805.—A witenagemótwas held at Ockley, a favourite locality[640].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.810.—Anothergemót, “sancta synodus,†sat at Ockley, and decided a lawsuit between Æðelhelm, and Beornðryð, the widow of Óswulf, duke of Kent[641].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.811.—A great gemót, “concilium pergrande,†was held this year in London[642]. In the same year a greatgemótwas collected at Wincelcumbe, Winchcomb in Gloucestershire, for the dedication of Cénwulf’s new abbey there[643].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.815.—In this year agemótassembled at Cealchýð[644].
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: thegemóthowever is called “pontificate et synodale conciliabulum[645].†In 824 there was also agemótof Wessex at Ockley in Surrey. Ecgberht gave Meon to Wulfward hispraefectusorgeréfa. The act is signed by fourgeréfan[646].
BEORNWULF OF MERCIA,A.D.825.—A gemót was held also at Clofeshoas in 825; this is called “sionoðlÃc gemótâ€[647], and it is stated that there were assembled the bishops, ealdormen, and all the weotan of the nation: one act of thisgemót[648]declares it to have consisted of the king, bishops, abbots, dukes, “omniumque dignitatum optimates, aecclesiasticarum vel saecularium personarum[649].â€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.
ECGBERHT OF WESSEX,A.D.826.—In 825 Ecgberht had taken the field against the Welsh. He seems to have made various grants whilein hoste. These were afterwards confirmed and reduced to writing by a gemót held in 826 at Southampton[650].
ECGBERHT OF WESSEX and ÆÃELWULF 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].
ÆÃELWULF 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].
ÆÃELWULF OF WESSEX, ÆÃELSTÃN OF KENT,A.D.844.—Agemótat Canterbury, attended by the kings, the archbishop, the bishop elect of Rochester, “cum principibus, ducibus, abbatibus, et cunctis generalis dignitatis optimatibus[654].â€
ÆÃELWULF OF WESSEX,A.D.851.—The veryquestionable authority of Ingulph mentions awitena gemótthis year at Cyningesbyrig[655].
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.
ÆÃELWULF OF WESSEX,A.D.855.—In this year there was agemótat Winchester[657].
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 thatgemótswere held both in Mercia and Wessex[658].
A.D.866-871.—We learn from king Ælfred himself that there was awitena gemótat SwÃnbeorh 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].
ÆLFRED OF WESSEX,A.D.878.—In this year there was agemót, 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].
ÆLFRED OF WESSEX,A.D.880-885.—Agemótsat 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].
ÆÃELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA,A.D.883.—In this year the witan of Mercia met at Risborough, underÆðelred 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.
ÆÃELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA,A.D.888.—Thisgemótwas held at SaltwÃc in Worcestershire, to consult upon affairs both ecclesiastical and secular. The witan assembled from far and near[663].
ÆÃELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA,A.D.896.—Anothergemótof the Mercians was held this year at Gloucester, whose interesting acts are yet preserved[664].
ÆÃELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA,A.D.878-899.—At agemótheld 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].
EÃDWEARD 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.
ÆÃELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA,A.D.904.—In this year a Merciangemótwas held, and duke Æðelfrið obtained permission to have new charters written, his ownhaving perished by fire[668]. And agemótof the Westsaxon witan was held at the king’s hunting-seat of Bicanleáh[669]. About the same period agemótof Wessex was held at Exeter by Eádweard[670].
EÃDWEARD OF WESSEX,A.D.909.—Agemótof Wessex was held in 909: its acts are signed by fifty of the witan[671].
EÃDWEARD OF WESSEX,A.D.910.—Agemótwas 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].
EÃDWEARD OF WESSEX,A.D.911.—In this year agemótwas probably held, in which terms of peace were offered to the Danes in Northumberland[674]. But this may possibly be only the last-namedgemótin 910, as we know that Eádweard was in Kent in 911.
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D. 925 or 926.—About this date agemótwas held by Æðelstán at Ham near Lewes, and the suit between Góda and Eádgyfu was again decided by public authority[675].
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.928.—A solemngemótwas held this year at Exeter[676].
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.930.—In this year thegemótmet 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].
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.931.—In this year severalgemótswere 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].
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.932.—There was agemótat Amesbury, said to be attended by the dukes, bishops, abbots and “patriae procuratoresâ€[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].
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.934.—Agemótwas 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 agemót, “tota magnatorum generalitate[686].â€
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.935.—On the twenty-first of September in this year there was agemótat Dorchester, “tota optimatum generalitate[687],â€
ÆÃELSTÃN,A.D.937.—Agemótwas held, “archiepiscopis, episcopis, ducibus et principibus Anglorum insimul pro regni utilitate coadunatis[688].â€
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 whichall 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.â€
Gemótsof Æðelstán’s, the dates of which are uncertain, were held at Witlanburh[690], Greátanleá[691], Fevershám[692], Thundersfield[693], and Exeter[694].
EÃDMUND, beforeA.D.946.—This prince held at least twogemóts, one at London, one at Culintún, but in what years is uncertain[695].
EÃDRED,A.D.946.—This year there was agemótat Kingston, and king Eádred was crowned[696].
EÃDRED,A.D.947.—In this year there was at least onewitena 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.
EÃDRED,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].
Between 960-963.—In one of these years agemótwas held, but the place is unknown, and Eádgyfu ultimately succeeded in putting an end to the pretensions of Goda’s family[699].
EÃDGÃR,A.D.966.—Agemótin London[700].
EÃDGÃR,A.D.968.—Agemótwas held at some place unknown[701].
EÃDGÃR,A.D.973.—A greatgemótwas held in St. Paul’s church, London[702].
EÃDGÃR,A.D.977.—After Easter (April 8th), there was held a greatgemót, “ðæt mycele gemót,†at Kirtlington in Oxfordshire[703].
EÃDGÃR,A.D.978.—In this year was held the celebratedgemótat Calne in Wiltshire, when the floor gave way and precipitated the witan to the ground[704]. There was anothergemótat Ceodre, now Cheddar in Somersetshire[705].
In addition to these Eádgár held at least twogemóts, 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].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.979.—Agemótwas held at Kingston for the coronation of Æðelred[707].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.992.—In this year there were probably severalwitena gemótsfor the prosecution of the Danish war[708].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.993.—In this year there was at least onegemótat Winchester[709].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.994.—Awitena gemótmet this year at Andover[710].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.995.—Agemótat Ambresbyrig, now Amesbury, where ÆlfrÃc was elected archbishop of Canterbury in the place of SigerÃc[711]. There seems to havebeen another meeting in the same year, one of whose acts we still possess[712].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.996.—In this year agemótwas held at Cealchýð[713].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.997.—This year agemótwas 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 thegemótassembled at Waneting or Wantage; and here they promulgated laws which we yet possess[715]. There is a charter also, passed at thisgemót[716]. A previousgemótof uncertain year had been held at Brómdún[717], and another at Woodstock[718].
ÆÃELRED,A.D. 998.—Agemótwas held this year in London[719]; and another apparently at Andover[720], where conditions of peace were ratified with Anláf or Olaf Tryggvason[721].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.999.—At least onegemótwas held this year, to concert measures of defence against the Danes[722].
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].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1002.—In this year the witan met and paid tribute to the Danes[724]. We have still an evident act of such agemótin this year[725].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1004.—In this year a meeting of theEastanglian witan, under earl Ulfcytel, took place. From the description I do not think it could have been an ordinary scÃrgemót. It shows, at any rate, that the witan were resident in the shires, and not permanently attached to the royal person or household[726].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1006.—Anothergemótwas held this year, somewhere in Shropshire, for the melancholy and shameful purpose of buying peace from the Danes[727].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1008.—Agemótwas held, one of whose acts we have still[728].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1009.—In this year we are told that the king and hisheáhwitanmet; but the place is unknown[729].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1010.—In this year agemótwas proclaimed, to concert measures of defence against the Danes[730]. “Ãonne beád man eallan witan tó cynge, and man sceólde ðonne rǽdan hú man ðisne eard werian sceólde.â€
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1011.—Agemótwas again held for the shameful purpose of buying peace[731].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1012.—At Easter (April 13th) there was a great meeting at London, and tribute was paid to the Danes[732].
ÆÃELRED,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].
ÆÃELRED,A.D.1015.—In this year was the greatgemótof Oxford, “ðæt mycel gemót,†and Sigeferð and Morcar the powerful earls of the north were slain[734].
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.
EÃDMUND ÃRENSÃDA,A.D.1016.—In this year there must have been various meetings of the witan, if tumultuous and armed assemblages can claim the name ofwitena gemótsat all. The witan in London elected Eádmund king; and there was a meeting at Olney, near Deerhurst, where the kingdom was partitioned[737].
A.D.1016-1020.—Probably between these years was the greatgemótat Winchester, in which Cnut promulgated his laws[738].
CNUT,A.D.1020.—In this year was a greatgemótat Cirencester[739].
HARALD HARANFOT,A.D.1036.—Upon the death of Cnut, there was agemótat Oxford, and Harald was elected king[740].
HARDACNUT,A.D.1042.—In this year there was probably agemótat Sutton[741]. And another on Hardacnut’s death, when all the people chose Eádweard the Confessor to be king[742].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1043.—Awitena gemótwas held at Winchester, April 3rd, and Eádweard was crowned[743].
EÃDWEARD,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].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1045.—There seems to have been agemótthis year[746].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1046.—A gemót, the place of which is unknown[747].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1047.—On the 10th of March this year there was “mycel gemót†in London[748].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1048.—Agemótsat 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.
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1050.—There was a great gemót in London[750].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1052, 1053.—Agemót, place unknown[751].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1055.—Agemótin London[752].
EÃDWEARD,A.D.1065.—There was a greatgemótat 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.
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 theCodex Diplomaticus, which is not merely a private will or private settlement, is the genuine act of somewitena 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.