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The Witenagmot was a council of Anglo-Saxon high ranking people brought together to assist in the running of the country alongside the Anglo-Saxon kings of England. The council members included bishops, ealdorman and thanes, high ranking Anglo-Saxons. The council is also known as the Witan.

Mini Timeline

866Witenagemot held at Woodstock
Ethelread held a Witenagemot (Witan) at the palace of Woodstock.
1016AprEdmund II (Ironside) becomes King
Edmund II became king at the death of his father Athelred II in London. London chose prince Edmund as king but it was short lived as the Southampton Witan chose Canute, who then invaded England.
1055Rebellion of Aelgar of Mercia
Aelfgar, earl Mercia was outlawed by the witan. He built a force and allied himself with Welsh Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. They raided Hereford and eventually came to terms with Harold. Aelfgar was later restored.

See Also

  ATHELRED (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016)
  EDMUND (II Ironside, King of the English 1016)
  EDWARD (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
  CANUTE (King of England 1016-1035)


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