Witenagemot

The Witenagemot was an assembly of influential nobles, clergy, and wise men in Anglo-Saxon England, functioning from about the 5th to the 11th centuries. It advised the king on important matters like governance, laws, and military issues, serving as an early form of a council or parliament. The name translates to "meeting of wise men." The Witenagemot played a crucial role in shaping early English politics, helping to legitimize decisions and ensure the king's authority was supported by nobles and the church. Its influence waned after the Norman Conquest in 1066.