Literally "meeting of
wise men." In
medieval England, prior to the
Norman conquest of
1066, the highest
legislative and
judicial body in the land. There were no formal elections; in theory, anyone could attend. Generally
towns and
villages sent the most respected man among them to be their
representative and take the community's most vexing problems before the gathering for discussion and
judgement.
The witena gemot advised the King and, upon his death, chose his successor--ideally by as close to a unanimous decision as they could come. Their main guidelines for this were as follows:
- The new King should be capable of ruling with strength and justice.
- He should be of royal blood.
- He should if possible be English. (There were plenty of foreign kings capable of claiming the throne by right of their bloodline.)
- They would take into account the desires of the late King if he were respected and made his wishes regarding the succession known.