Legal Definitions - witan

Definition: The Witan were a group of wise men who advised the king in administrative and judicial matters in Anglo-Saxon England. The members of the Witan included ealdormen, bishops, abbots, high officers, and sometimes the king's friends and relatives.

Example: When King Alfred the Great was ruling England, he relied heavily on the advice of the Witan. They helped him make important decisions about how to govern the country and settle disputes between different groups of people.

Explanation: The example shows how the Witan were an important part of the king's government in Anglo-Saxon England. They were a group of trusted advisors who helped the king make decisions that affected the entire country. The Witan included people from different backgrounds and positions of power, which gave the king a range of perspectives to consider when making decisions.