An Ealdorman, or Alderman, was the prior magistrate of a British shire in AD900 to 1100. Ealdormanship was the highest form of nobility until after 1100, when ranks such as Barons were introduced. The Ealdormen were the commanders of the armies in the surrounding district (the shire). An alderman is a member of a municipal legislative body in a town or city with many jurisdictions. ... Anno Domini (Latin: In the Year of the Lord), or more completely Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi (In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ), commonly abbreviated AD or A.D., is the designation used to number years in the dominant Christian Era in the world today. ... Events Persian scientist, Rhazes, distinguished smallpox from measles in the course of his writings. ... Events William II of England dies in a hunting accident - Henry I becomes King of England King Henry I proclaims the Charter of Liberties, one of the first examples of a constitution. ... Baron is a specific title of nobility or a more generic feudal qualification. ... For information on the fictional Shire of J. R. R. Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings, see Shire (Middle-earth) A shire is an administrative area of Great Britain. ...
An Ealdormancy was an Anglo-Saxon governing body over several shires, made up of more than one Ealdorman. The Anglo-Saxons refers collectively to the groups of Germanic tribes who achieved dominance in southern Britain from the mid-5th century, forming the basis for the modern English nation. ...
The name witenagemot derives from the Old English for "meeting of wise men" (witan, wise man or counsellor; gemot, assembly).
It was the remnant of the ancient tribal general assembly which had soon developed into a convocation of the land's most powerful and important people including senior clergy, ealdormen and the leading thegns speaking to the king.
The witan had its origins in the Germanic assemblies summoned to witness royal grants of land.
At first the Ewalds took up their abode in the house of the steward of a certain Saxon earl or ealdormen (satrapa).
Bede remarks that "the old Saxons have no king, but they are governed by several ealdormen [satrapas] who during war cast lots for leadership, but who in time of peace are equal in power" (Hist.
The steward entertained his two guests for several days, and promised to conduct them to the chieftain, as they affirmed they had a message of considerable importance to deliver to him.
Feeds |
Contact