Legal Definitions - wittenagemot

Definition: Wittenagemot, also spelled witanagemote, was a national assembly of noblemen, high ecclesiastics, and other great thanes of England who advised and aided the king in the general administration of the government. It was a precursor to the British Parliament, but it passed out of existence with the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Example: The Wittenagemot was a powerful assembly in Anglo-Saxon England, and the kings were dependent on appointment to that office by the Witan in the early period before the royal succession became hereditary.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Wittenagemot was a powerful assembly that had the authority to appoint kings in early Anglo-Saxon England. It shows that the assembly was composed of noblemen, high ecclesiastics, and other great thanes who advised and aided the king in the general administration of the government.