The
Witan (Old English witenagemot, moot or meeting) was the term
used to describe the council summoned by Anglo-Saxon kings. These
meetings of aldermen, thanes and bishops discussed royal grants of
land, church matters, charters, taxation, customary law, defence and
foreign policy. The succession of a new king had to be approved by
the Witan.
The composition of the Witan was not set and the size of the assembly
depended on what was being discussed and where it was held. For example,
meetings were larger during religious festivals and when the king
was resident in one of his palaces.
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