he Witenagmot, also known as the Witan, was a council of wise Anglo-Saxon high ranking men brought together to assist in the running of the country alongside the Anglo-Saxon kings of England. The meetings were held at Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide mostly and the council members included bishops, ealdorman and thanes, high ranking Anglo-Saxons. The Witan's purpose was to be consulyed on and to consider every public act which the king authorised. They also discussed the laws that would be added to the body of common law for the country. The Witan had the power to make alliances, peace treaties and electing kings. The Witan also had the power to remove a king if they concluded that the government of the country was detrimental to the needs of the country. In matters of the Church, the Witan had powers to appoint bishops to vacant sees and to manage ecclesiastical affairs and revenues. It also had the power to determine taxation amounts and along with the king to raise extra taxes and resources in times of invasion.