- Glossary definition: Witenagemot

The Witenagemot (or Witan) was a political institution in Anglo-Saxon England which operated between approximately the 7th century and 11th century. The name witenagemot derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" (witan, wise man or counsellor; gemot, assembly). It was a convocation of the land's most powerful and important people including senior clergy, ealdormen and the leading thegns.