How Do You Spell WITENAGEMOT?

Pronunciation: [wˈa͡ɪtne͡ɪd͡ʒmˌɒt] (IPA)

Witenagemot, pronounced /ˈwɪtənəˌɡɛmət/, is an Old English word that refers to the council of wise men who advised the Anglo-Saxon kings before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The word is composed of two parts: "witan," meaning wise men, and "gemot," meaning assembly or council. The spelling of witenagemot may seem difficult at first glance, but by breaking it down into its two parts and using phonetic transcription, it becomes easier to understand and pronounce.

WITENAGEMOT Meaning and Definition

1. Witenagemot refers to an Old English term that translates to "meeting of wise men." It was a historical term used to describe the assembly of influential and knowledgeable individuals who formed the advisory council to the Anglo-Saxon kings of England. The witenagemot played a crucial role in the governance and decision-making process during the Anglo-Saxon period, which spanned from the 7th century to the Norman Conquest of 1066.

   In this council, members consisted of high-ranking nobles, bishops, and other noteworthy figures of society. The witenagemot was responsible for a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, including legislative matters, judicial decisions, advice on foreign policy, and the election of the kings. This gathering functioned as a platform for debate and discussion on important issues, allowing the king to seek counsel from diverse perspectives before making important decisions.

   As a vital element of Anglo-Saxon governance, the witenagemot symbolized a form of participatory government where the king's power was balanced and restrained by the wisdom and influence of the assembly. The composition and authority of the witenagemot varied throughout history, but it remained a significant institution until the arrival of the Norman kings. With the establishment of Norman rule, the witenagemot gradually transformed into the English Parliament, shaping the trajectory of English governance and becoming a precursor to modern democratic institutions.

2. In AS. times before the Conquest, the supreme council of the nation, consisting of noblemen and clergy.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for WITENAGEMOT

• qitenagemot
• aitenagemot
• sitenagemot
• eitenagemot
• 3itenagemot
• 2itenagemot
• wutenagemot
• wjtenagemot
• wktenagemot
• wotenagemot
• w9tenagemot
• w8tenagemot
• wirenagemot
• wifenagemot
• wigenagemot
• wiyenagemot
• wi6enagemot
• wi5enagemot
• witwnagemot
• witsnagemot

Etymology of WITENAGEMOT

The word "witenagemot" comes from Old English, specifically "witen" meaning "wise" or "wise men" and "gemot" meaning "meeting" or "assembly". Therefore, "witenagemot" can be translated as "meeting of the wise" or "assembly of wise men".

Plural form of WITENAGEMOT is WITENAGEMOTS