The Witenaġemot (/ˌwɪtənəɡəˈmoʊt/; Old English: witena ġemōt [ˈwitenɑ jeˈmoːt]; "meeting of wise men"), also known as the Witan (more properly the title of its members), was a political institution in Anglo-Saxon England which operated from before the 7th century until the 11th century.

Who was the Witan in 1066?

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.

Did the Witan choose the king?

When Edward the Confessor died in 1066, the Witan , England's high council, met and decided who should be the next King of England. They chose Harold Godwinson, a leading member of the council.